Straylight measurements in laser in situ keratomileusis and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy for myopia.
OBJECTIVE
To compare straylight values before and 3 months after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) and to analyze the causes of any change.


METHODS
Private refractive surgery clinic, Driebergen, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Straylight was measured before and after LASIK or LASEK with a C-Quant straylight meter; values were recorded as the straylight parameter log(s). Main outcome measures were the difference between postoperative and preoperative straylight values and factors causing a difference between the values.


RESULTS
The study evaluated 102 eyes having LASIK and 137 eyes having LASEK. On average, there was significant improvement in straylight values postoperatively in both groups. The mean decrease was -0.016 log(s) in the LASIK group and -0.026 log(s) in the LASEK group. Nonparametric testing (sign test) showed that the improvement in straylight was statistically significant in more than 50% of eyes in both groups. Straylight improved in 62 eyes in the LASIK group (P<.001) and 78 eyes in the LASEK group (P<.02) and deteriorated in 35 eyes and 58 eyes, respectively. There was an increase in straylight in 17 eyes (7.1%). Clinical correlations were found in some eyes that had increased postoperative straylight values.


CONCLUSIONS
On average, straylight values 3 months after LASIK and LASEK were slightly decreased from baseline values.
Lapid-Gortzak
Ruth
R
private refractive surgery clinic, Driebergen, The Netherlands. r.lapid@amc.uva.nl
van der Linden
Jan Willem
JW
van der Meulen
Ivanka
I
Nieuwendaal
Carla
C
van den Berg
Tom
T
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D019466:Glare; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult