title: Laser epithelial keratomileusis: outcome of initial cases performed by an experienced surgeon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate refractive outcome and objective clinical data, and determine efficacy, predictability, and safety of laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for myopic treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective non-comparative single-surgeon case series on the first 20 LASEK procedures (Alcon LADARVision 4000 laser). Mean patient age was 41.2 years (range 21 to 60 yr): 13 men and 7 women. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -6.47+/-2.78 D. Corneal haze, uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity and manifest refraction were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 20 eyes studied, 3 were corrected for monovision. In the non-monovision group, 20/40 or better visual acuity was achieved in 94% (16 eyes) at 1 month, 100% (13 eyes) at 3 months, and 91% (10 eyes) at 6 months after LASEK; 20/20 or better was achieved in 12% (2 eyes) at 1 month, 46% (6 eyes) at 3 months, and 45% (5 eyes) at 6 months. Corneal haze at 1 month was grade 0.5 in 35% (7 eyes), 1 in 20% (4 eyes) and 2 in 10% (2 eyes). At 3 months, 62% (12 eyes) had grade 0.5 and 31% (6 eyes) had grade 1. At 6 months, 58% (12 eyes) had grade 0.5, 25% (5 eyes) had grade 1, and 8% (2 eyes) had grade 2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LASEK is a challenging procedure. Creating the epithelial flap is not simple and may have contributed to the high haze incidence in our study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, The Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Maria Regina
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Chalita
authors.forename: Navin H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Tekwani
authors.forename: Ronald R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Krueger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity