Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:Excimer laser refractive surgery is rapidly becoming an important and necessary skill for the comprehensive ophthalmologist. However, currently only a few academic institutions incorporate this surgery into their curriculum because of several issues including cost, risks of complications and fear of poor visual outcomes. We wish to present data from our institution that show excellent visual outcomes as well as low complication rates by trainees. Methods:This study is a retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients from inception on 11/16/01 to 11/22/03. All patients recieved a preoperative screening exam and were followed postoperatively at one hour, one day, one week, one month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Several data points were gathered including vision, complications, suction time, flap thickness and the change in wavefront aberrations. Results:Results of 50 consecutive patients (93 eyes) were reviewed. The average number of cases per trainee was 8. Surface ablation (LASEK or PRK) was done in 26% of eyes and LASIK in 76%. Our preliminary data shows that 75% achieved uncorrected snellen visual acuity of 20/20 or better with 50% achieving 20/15 at one month follow up, 81% achieved 20/20 or better with 57% achieving 20/15 at 3 months follow up, 100% achieved 20/20 or better with 81% achieving 20/15 at 6 months follow up, and 100% achieved 20/20 or better with 50% achieving 20/15 at 12 months follow up. Fifteen percent of eyes experienced complications requiring intervention including DLK, infection, and flap associated complications. Conclusions:This demonstrates the potential for excellent visual outcomes after refractive surgery by trainees. Although the overall rate of complications incurred is higher than that of experienced refractive surgeons, none resulted in loss of best spectacle corrected visual acuity.
Keywords: refractive surgery • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications • cornea: clinical science