title: Effectiveness of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy to treat residual refractive errors after laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) to treat residual refractive errors after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Isik Eye Clinic, Ankara, Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included 24 eyes of 15 patients who had retreatment by LASEK for residual refractive errors after myopic LASIK. All patients had examinations that included slitlamp biomicroscopy, subjective and cycloplegic refractions, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity, corneal topography, and pachymetry preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative examinations were performed at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient cohort comprised 9 men and 6 women. The median spherical equivalent (SE) of attempted correction for retreatment with LASEK was -1.25 diopters (D). The median follow-up after LASEK was 11.5 months (range 6 to 16 months). At the end of the follow-up, the median SE of the refractive error was -0.38 D. The median UCVA increased from 20/45 before LASEK to 20/25 at the last follow-up visit, which was statistically significant (P<.001). After LASEK, significant postoperative haze developed in 5 eyes. In all 5 eyes, the estimated ablation depth was more than 40 mum and the SE of attempted correction was -2.00 D or greater.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy retreatment in eyes with myopic regression after LASIK resulted in a significant improvement in UCVA that was comparable to the improvement after flap lifting. An SE of attempted correction greater than -2.00 D was associated with a significant rate of haze.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, Fatih University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. baydunus@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nurullah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cagil
authors.forename: Bahri
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aydin
authors.forename: Sertac
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Hikmet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hasiripi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology