title: [Long-term evaluation of laser in situ keratomileusis for extremely high myopia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for extremely high myopia (with a preoperative refraction more than -10.00 diopters).
  
  
  METHODS
  173 eyes of 99 patients with a mean spherical equivalent (SE) of (-13.70 +/- 3.60) D (range -10.00 approximately 23.50 D), including 41 eyes with more than -15.00 D, were treated with LASIK and followed up for more than 18 months. The examinations included slitlamp microscopy, fundus examination, Orbscan II corneal topography system, tonometry, pachymetry, cycloplegic and subjective refraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 18 months postoperatively, the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.5 or better in 148 eyes (85.6%), and the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) remained the same or increased in 147 eyes (84.4%). No eye lost more than two lines of BSCVA. 109 eyes (63.0%) were within +/- 1.00 D of emmetropia. The percentage was 73.5% and 29.3% in eyes with a preoperative SE of less than -14.75 D and more than -15.00 D, respectively. Postoperatively, the posterior corneal surface bulge was detected in all eyes. The mean elevation of the posterior corneal surface against the best-fit sphere was (0.029 +/- 0.010) mm preoperatively, (0.069 +/- 0.031) mm at 3 months, (0.065 +/- 0.025) mm at 18 months. At final follow-up, corneal flap folds were found in 2 eyes, and 6 patients (10 eyes) complained of glare or decreased scotopic vision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LASIK appeared to be an effective and safe treatment for correction of extremely high myopia. Meanwhile the candidates should be carefully screened.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang 330006, China. xuxm@21cn.com
authors.forename: Ding-zhang
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiao-mao
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Shui-lian
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jin-song
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Fu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity