Comparison between LASEK and LASIK for the correction of low myopia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the refractive results of laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of low myopia.


METHODS
A prospective, interventional, non-randomized, observer-masked study was performed of patients with myopia of < or = -2.50 diopters (D) (cylinder < or = 1.50 D) who had undergone either LASEK or LASIK. Refractive analysis was performed by a masked observer preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
Seventy-nine eyes that fulfilled the inclusion criteria in each group were included in the study. No statistically significant differences were noted in age, gender, or preoperative refractive error between groups. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was significantly lower in LASEK eyes 1 and 7 days postoperatively (P = .0001). At 1 and 3 months postoperatively, no significant differences were noted between the groups in UCVA (P = .07), but best spectacle-corrected visual acuity 3 months postoperatively was significantly better in LASEK eyes (P = .01). The refractive error was similar in both groups (P = .3).


CONCLUSIONS
Visual improvement after LASEK for low myopia is significantly slower than after LASIK. Visual outcomes at 3 months postoperatively were similar with both techniques for the correction of low myopia.
de Benito-Llopis
Laura
L
Vissum Corporación Oftalmológica, Madrid, Spain. lauradeb@hotmail.com
Teus
Miguel A
MA
Sánchez-Pina
Jose M
JM
Hernández-Verdejo
Jose L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity