title: LASIK in patients with rheumatic diseases: a pilot study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Refractive Surgery and Cornea Department, Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante Vissum Corporation, and Medical School, Miguel Hernández University, Alicante, Spain. jlalio@vissum.com
authors.forename: Jorge L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alió
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Artola
authors.forename: José I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Belda
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Perez-Santonja
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Javaloy
authors.forename: José L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Prats
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galal
mesh_terms: 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