Laser in situ keratomileusis for refractive error after cataract surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to correct refractive error following cataract surgery.


METHODS
The Eye Institute, Sydney, Australia.


METHODS
This retrospective study reviewed 23 eyes (19 patients; 10 female, 9 male) treated with LASIK for refractive error following cataract surgery. The Summit Apex Plus and Ladarvision excimer laser and the SKBM microkeratome were used. The mean age was 63.5 years (range 50 to 88 years). The mean length of follow-up was 8.4 months (range 1 to 12 months) and mean interval between cataract surgery and LASIK was 12 months (range 2.5 to 46 months).


RESULTS
The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) for myopic eyes was -3.08 +/- 0.84 diopters (D) (range -4.75 to -2.00 D) and for hyperopic eyes was +1.82 +/- 1.03 D (range +0.75 to +3.00 D). The mean improvement following LASIK surgery was greater for myopic than hyperopic eyes (myopic, 2.54 +/- 1.03 D versus hyperopic, 1.73 +/- 0.62 D; P=.033). The percentage of patients within +/-0.5 D of intended refraction post-LASIK surgery was 83.3% for myopic eyes and 90.9% for hyperopic eyes and all eyes were within +/-1.0 D of intended (P<.001). The percentage of eyes with uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better in the myopic group improved from none preoperatively to 91.7% postoperatively (P<.001) and in the hyperopic group improved from 27.3% preoperatively to 90.9% postoperatively (P=.008). No eyes lost 2 or more lines of best corrected visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser in situ keratomileusis appears to be effective in correcting refractive error following cataract surgery. Longer-term studies are required to determine refractive stability.
Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Peter
P
Kim
Esther M
EM
Briganti
Gerard L
GL
Sutton
Michael A
MA
Lawless
Christopher M
CM
Rogers
Chris
C
Hodge
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014792:Visual Acuity