Purpose:
To prospectively evaluate the safety, efficacy, predictability,and long-term stability of hyperopic LASIK correction usingthe VISX Excimer laser.
Methods:
This study was a prospective analysis of 43 eyes from 26 consecutivepatients for the LASIK correction of spherical hyperopia, of+6.00 diopters (D) or less, using the VISX Excimer laser. Patientswere divided into 3 groups based on pre-operative cycoplegicrefraction: low (< 2.00 D; 16 eyes), medium (2-4 D; 12 eyes),and high (> 4 D; 15 eyes). The mean pre-operative sphericalequivalent was +2.73 D (range +0.75 to +6.00 D) and the attemptedmean spherical correction was +2.76 D (range +0.75 to +5.75D). Patients were followed for an average of 5.2 years (range3 to 7 years). Uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity,predictability, and stability were analyzed.
Results:
At 5 years after LASIK correction of hyperopia, the mean sphericalequivalent for the low group was +0.45 ± 0.71 D; themedium group was +0.65 ± 0.51 D; and the high group was+0.35 ± 1.28 D. The percentage of eyes within 1.00 Dof emmetropia was 81.3% for the low group, 75.0% for the mediumgroup, and 66.7% for the high group. The uncorrected visualacuity (UCVA) was 20/40 or better in 100% of eyes in the lowgroup, 91.7% in the medium group, and 73.5% in the high group(86.0% overall). Finally, the hyperopic shift between 12 and60 months was +0.21 D for the low group, +0.23 D for the mediumgroup, and +0.50 D for the high group (+0.32 D overall; range-1.25 to +2.63 D).
Conclusions:
Hyperopic LASIK using the VISX Excimer laser system is safe,effective, and predictable for hyperopia up to +6.00 D. A verymild regression of refractive effect was seen over the 5 yearperiod.
Keywords: hyperopia • refractive surgery: LASIK