Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate Wavefront-guided LASIK with femtosecond technology and return to flight (RTF) times in aviators.
Methods: :
Bilateral Wavefront-guided LASIK with Intralase (60 kHz IL) was performed on 30 Class II USN / USMC aviators (6 female, 24 male). The VISX Star S4 IR CustomVue (Abbott Medical Optics, Santa Ana, CA) with software version 3.64 (Fourier) was used. Weekly exams were conducted at 4 weeks, then monthly through 3 month post op. Aviators were eligible to RTF by 1 month.
Results: :
At 2 weeks, 100% had 20/20, and 94% had 20/16 or better uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA). At four weeks, 97% were 20/16, and 87% were 20/12. Refractive stability was achieved at 2 weeks for myopes. Patients had over 50% gain low contrast acuity. Aviators had no subjective complaints or complications and 100% strongly recommend procedure for fellow aviators. Potential down time was only 2 weeks for majority of aviators; convalescent leave for only 1 day, and there was rapid deployability for anyone receiving procedure (policy = 1 month).
Conclusions: :
Wavefront LASIK with IntraLase has evolved and now represents the best refractive procedure performed today with many patients receiving results better than 20/20. The procedure demonstrated excellent results in patients, including rapid visual recovery, a stable refractive result improved quality of vision, and high patient satisfactions.
Clinical Trial: :
Naval Medical Center San Diego CIP NMCSD.2008.0064
Keywords: refractive surgery: LASIK • refractive surgery: optical quality