Fifteen-year follow-up after LASIK: case report.
OBJECTIVE
To present 15-year follow-up of one of the first LASIK-treated patients.


METHODS
A 40-year-old woman underwent LASIK in the left eye for myopia in July 1991.


RESULTS
Fifteen years after LASIK, spherical equivalent error was statistically significantly reduced from preoperative -8.75 -3.75 x 025 degrees to postoperative -4.25 -2.75 x 010 degrees. Six months postoperatively, refractive and topographic stability was obtained and remained stable during follow-up with no significant changes between interval mean time (-3.75 -3.00 x 020 degrees 6 months postoperatively to -4.25 -2.75 x 010 degrees 15 years postoperatively). No early or late postoperative complications were observed, and confocal microscopy revealed a regenerated nerve plexus and normal cornea. However, increased scattering and presence of debris were observed at the flap interface even after 15 years. Despite moderate predictability (residual refractive error) and small optical zone, the patient was satisfied with final outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
One of the first LASIK-treated patients was presented 15 years after surgery. LASIK in this patient had low predictability, although refractive and topographic stability occurred after the sixth postoperative month. No long-term, sight-threatening complications were identified during follow-up.
Institute of Vision and Optics, University of Crete Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Crete, Greece. kymionis@med.uoc.gr
George D
GD
Kymionis
Nikolaos
N
Tsiklis
Aristofanis I
AI
Pallikaris
Dimitrios I
DI
Bouzoukis
Ioannis G
IG
Pallikaris
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009420:Nervous System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity