[Early clinical results of laser epithelial keratomileusis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).


METHODS
LASEK was performed on 82 eyes of 42 patients whose spherical refraction ranged from -0.75 to -12.00 D (mean, -6.09 D) and cylindrical refraction ranged from 0 to -5.00 D (mean, -0.95 D). LASEK is a method of making a epithelial flap using 20% ethanol and repositioning the flap after excimer laser ablation. The clinical results of postoperative refraction and complications were examined.


RESULTS
At 1 week and 1 month after the operation, 69 eyes(84.1%) and 79 eyes(96.3%) achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better. At 1 week and 1, 3 months after the operation, the mean spherical refraction was +0.09 +/- 0.49(mean +/- standard deviation) D, +0.29 +/- 0.47 D, +0.13 +/- 0.46 D. At 1 month 65 eyes (79.3%) were within +/- 0.5 D and 78 eyes(95.1%) were within +/- 1.0 D. 51 eyes (62.2%) had the complication of corneal haze.


CONCLUSIONS
LASEK achieved good uncorrected visual acuity, but there were some complications such as postoperative pain, the delayed recovery of visual acuity, and corneal haze, so that a long and careful follow-up seems necessary.
Kitazawa
Yoshihiro
Y
Ai Eye Clinic, Shinjuku Island Tower 35 F., 6-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-1335, Japan.
Sawai
Hideaki
H
Tajiri
Chizuko
C
Toshida
Kumiko
K
Saishin
Mototsugu
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D014792:Visual Acuity