Prospective, paired comparison of laser in situ keratomileusis and laser epithelial keratomileusis for myopia less than -6.00 diopters.
OBJECTIVE
To compare visual and refractive results, contrast sensitivity, and tear stability after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in one eye and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) in the fellow eye for low myopia.


METHODS
Patients diagnosed with low myopia, with a maximum difference of 1 D between their two eyes, were randomly assigned to receive LASEK on one eye and LASIK on the other eye. A total of 64 eyes of 32 patients with a mean age of 26.83 +/- 5.33 years were included in the study. Preoperative myopia ranged from -1.00 to -6.00 D. Follow-up was 6 to 12 months. Uncorrected (UCVA) and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), Schirmer test results, tear break-up time, corneal asphericity, corneal uniformity index, predicted corneal acuity, and contrast sensitivity values were compared with preoperative values. A Wilcoxon test was used for statistical comparisons and a P-value less than .05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
At 6 months after surgery, there was no statistically significant difference in UCVA, BSCVA, spherical and cylindrical refractive error, Schirmer test, or tear break-up time between groups. Contrast sensitivity values in the LASIK eyes were lower in comparison to preoperative values, but there was no change in the LASEK group.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on 6-month results, LASEK for low myopia was safe and effective with predictable results, offered early refractive stability, and may be considered an alternative for LASIK.
Kaya
Vedat
V
Beyoglu Eve Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Oncel
Banu
B
Sivrikaya
Hakan
H
Yilmaz
Omer Faruk
OF
D000328:Adult; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D009216:Myopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity