Abstract
Purpose: :
To assess whether antidepressants increase the frequency and severity of postoperative side effects after refractive surgery.
Methods: :
436 patients treated with refractive surgery in 2009 were retrospectively reviewed for antidepressant use six months preoperatively or postoperatively. 21 patients were identified and matched with controls of similar age, gender, and preoperative visual acuity by an independent clinician. Patients and controls with paired data for at least three of the five postoperative evaluations at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months were analyzed. 10 patients met study criteria.
Results: :
No significant difference (P>0.069) in postoperative uncorrected visual acuity or the frequency or severity of pain, glare, halos, diplopia, or decreased night visual acuity was noted over time.
Conclusions: :
Antidepressants do not influence postoperative uncorrected visual acuity or the frequency/severity of postoperative side effects after laser refractive surgery.
Keywords: refractive surgery: complications • drug toxicity/drug effects • refractive surgery