title: Post-laser assisted in situ keratomileusis epithelial ingrowth and its relation to pretreatment refractive error.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the incidence of epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis and its correlation with myopic or hyperopic treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study analyzed 1000 consecutive LASIK procedures performed by 3 surgeons using identical surgical technique with a Hansatome microkeratome. Eyes that developed epithelial ingrowth were evaluated using the Machat grading system. Patients were subdivided into 2 groups (myopic or hyperopic) based on the preoperative refractive error.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total incidence of epithelial ingrowth was 4.7%. The incidence after primary treatment was 3.9%. The incidence after enhancement was 12.8%. The total incidence of epithelial ingrowth was 3% in the myopic group compared with 23% in the hyperopic group. After primary myopic treatment, there was a 3% incidence of epithelial ingrowth compared with 17% after primary hyperopic treatment. The incidence after enhancement was 7% in the myopic group and 43% in the hyperopic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients undergoing hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis have a greater incidence of epithelial ingrowth than those undergoing myopic treatment. In addition, enhancement procedures have a higher incidence than primary procedures.
authors: Ophthalmology Department, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut, Egypt. atarekoph@hotmail.com
authors: Tarek A
authors: TA
authors: Mohamed
authors: Richard S
authors: RS
authors: Hoffman
authors: I Howard
authors: IH
authors: Fine
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Packer