[Complications after refractive surgery abroad].
BACKGROUND
In this article a retrospective analysis of patients presenting at a German university following refractive surgery abroad is presented.


METHODS
A total of 20 cases of patients who had undergone treatment between 1998 and 2006 in China (1 case), Greece (1 case), Iran (1 case), Russia (2 cases), Switzerland (1 case), Slovakia (1 case), Spain (2 cases), South Africa (3 cases), Turkey (6 cases) and the USA (2 cases) were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
The following complications were observed: epithelial ingrowth into the interface with or without melting of the flap (6 cases), corneal ectasia (2 cases), dislocation of a phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens and prolapse into the anterior chamber with endothelial cell loss (1 case), secondary increase of intraocular pressure following implantation of a phakic intraocular lens (1 case), flap-related complications following laser-in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) (2 cases), keratitis (1 case), dislocation of the complete flap (1 case), diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) grade IV (1 case), hyperopia as a consequence of radial keratotomy (1 case), and under correction/over correction and poor optical quality following laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and LASIK for high myopia (5 cases) with possible early corneal ectasia.


CONCLUSIONS
There are four important problems arising from refractive surgery abroad, often referred to as "LASIK tourism": wrong indications, insufficient management of complications, lack of postoperative care and the health economic aspect.
Terzi
E
E
Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main.
Kern
T
T
Kohnen
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019781:Corneal Topography; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000009:adverse effects; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012086:Reoperation