title: [Early clinical results of laser epithelial keratomileusis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Ai Eye Clinic, Shinjuku Island Tower 35 F., 6-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-1335, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kitazawa
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sawai
authors.forename: Chizuko
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tajiri
authors.forename: Kumiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toshida
authors.forename: Mototsugu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saishin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D014792:Visual Acuity