Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate binocular function and patients’ satisfaction after monovision induced by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in presbyopic individuals. Methods: Consecutive patients older than 39 years who had LASIK between January 2000 and October 2002 with a minimum of 3 months since the last surgery in whom the surgical outcome was monovision: distance vision spherical equivalent (SE) – 0.5 to + 0.5 diopter (D), near vision SE –3.75 to – 1.0 D and anisometropia 1.00 D or greater. Distance and near visual acuities and stereopsis at 30 cm were examined. Patients’ satisfaction with monovision was assessed by questionnaire. Results: A total of 114 patients, 66% women, with monovision post–LASIK participated in the study. Mean age at surgery was 49.3 ± 5.9 years. Eighty eight patients (77%) had binocular visual acuity of 20/25 or better for distance and 99 patients (87%) had binocular visual acuity of J2 or better for near. The median stereo acuity was 100 seconds of arc (range 40 to 800 seconds of arc). Mean patient satisfaction was 80%, 89.5% considered that their main goal had been reached, and 89% would still chose to have surgery if they had it to do over. Fifteen percent of patients reported increase difficulty driving at night because of their vision. Conclusions: Monovision LASIK patients had good binocular distance and near visual acuities with minimal compromise in stereo acuity. Overall satisfaction appears to be very good. Night driving seems to constitute a significant secondary effect that should be kept in mind when considering monovision for presbyopic individuals undergoing refractive surgery.
Keywords: visual acuity • refractive surgery: LASIK • quality of life