Changes in Add Power for Near Vision after Laser in Situ Keratomileusis for Presbyopic High Myopia

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in the minimal add power to attain the best-corrected near visual acuity (add power) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for presbyopic high myopia.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 53 eyes of 41 patients who were 45 years of age and older and had undergone LASIK for high myopia (-6 diopters [D] and over). The add powers at 30 cm were measured preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results: The mean patient age was 50.0 ± 4.1 years (standard deviation [SD]); the mean power corrected by LASIK was -7.69 ± 1.10 D. The preoperative and postoperative add powers were 1.80 ± 0.60 D and 2.18 ± 0.69 D, respectively, which was a significant (P < 0.01) increase of 0.38 ± 0.60 D. In patients under 50 years (n=30), the mean add power increased to 0.51±0.61 D, which is significantly (P < 0.01) greater than in patients 50 years and older (0.21±0.57 D), although the powers corrected by LASIK did not differ significantly between the groups.

Conclusions: The add power increases after LASIK performed to treat presbyopic high myopia, especially in patients who are newly presbyopic, probably due to the effect of the vertex distance. Our results confirmed the importance of obtaining informed consent regarding the apparent progression of presbyopia in such patients.

Keywords: 683 refractive surgery: LASIK • 653 presbyopia • 404 accommodation