Analysis of the efficacy, predictability, and safety of LASEK for myopia and myopic astigmatism using the Technolas 217 excimer laser.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy, predictability, and safety of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) for the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism.


METHODS
Stanford University Eye Laser Center, Stanford, California, USA.


METHODS
This retrospective analysis comprised 102 eyes that had LASEK for myopia using the Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217 excimer laser. Primary outcome variables including uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle- corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction, and complications were evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months. Vector analysis was performed on eyes that received astigmatic correction.


RESULTS
The mean spherical equivalent was -7.03 diopters (D) +/- 2.61 (SD) preoperatively, +0.19 +/- 0.64 D at 3 months, +0.23 +/- 0.82 D at 6 months, and +0.03 +/- 0.63 D at 12 months (P<.001). At 3, 6, and 12 months, the UCVA was 20/20 or better in 66%, 67%, and 83% of eyes, respectively, and 20/40 or better in 98%, 99%, and 100%; 74%, 70%, and 83%, respectively, were within +/-0.5 D of emmetropia, and 89%, 86%, and 97%, respectively, were within +/-1.0 D. No eye lost more than 2 lines of BSCVA. At 3, 6, and 12 months, 10.0%, 8.7%, and 0% of eyes, respectively, had trace corneal haze. Vector analysis found a success rate of approximately 78% to 80% in achieving the astigmatic surgical correction at the 3 postoperative visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy was an effective, predictable, and safe procedure for the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Further studies are needed to determine the role of LASEK in the refractive surgery spectrum.
Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Andreea E
AE
Partal
Maria C
MC
Rojas
Edward E
EE
Manche
D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000601:surgery*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing