LASIK in patients with rheumatic diseases: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the safety of LASIK in patients with a known history of controlled rheumatic diseases.


METHODS
Retrospective consecutive observational clinical study.


METHODS
Forty-two eyes (22 patients) known to have had a history of rheumatic diseases underwent LASIK. All patients had a history of controlled rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, or Behçet's disease.


METHODS
Assessments were made preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively and included visual acuity (VA), refraction, keratometric readings, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and corneal topography. All the patients underwent LASIK. Postoperative treatment included a topical steroid-antibiotic combination.


METHODS
Visual acuity, refraction, keratometric readings, and slit-lamp biomicroscopy findings at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
LASIK was performed uneventfully on all patients. The mean pre-LASIK spherical equivalent (SE) was -5.39+/-2.25, and the sixth month postoperative SE was -0.15+/-0.38 diopters (D) (P<0.001). Uncorrected VA 6 months after the LASIK procedure was 20/25. Enhancement procedures were performed in 6 of 42 eyes (14.3%) at variable times after the primary procedure. Postoperative follow-up showed development of a moderate degree of dry eye syndrome in 4 eyes (9.5%). Corneal haze, melting, flap, or interface complications were not observed in any of the study eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
In this small series, we found good outcomes when correcting refractive errors using LASIK in selected patients with controlled rheumatic diseases. In this series, a favorable postoperative visual outcome was obtained with no operative or postoperative vision-threatening complications.
Alió
Jorge L
JL
Refractive Surgery and Cornea Department, Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante Vissum Corporation, and Medical School, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain. jlalio@vissum.com
Artola
Alberto
A
Belda
José I
JI
Perez-Santonja
Juan J
JJ
Muñoz
Gonzalo
G
Javaloy
Jaime
J
Rodríguez-Prats
José L
JL
Galal
Ahmed
A
D000328:Adult; D019781:Corneal Topography; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000503:physiopathology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology