Reading Performance After LASIK and LASEK

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the influence of LASIK and LASEK on reading performance with respect to reading acuity, reading speed based on print size, maximal reading speed and critical print size (CPS). Methods: 34 eyes of 21 patients (17 eyes per group) were studied. The patients’ age was 35.5 ±5.8 years in the LASIK group and 32.9 ±6.9years in the LASEK group. Best-corrected visual acuity (LogMAR), reading acuity and reading speed were tested monocularly before and 3 weeks after LASIK or LASEK. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent of the refraction was LASIK: -3.6 ±2.1 diopters (D) and LASEK: -4.3 ±2.4 D and postoperatively it was LASIK: -0.13 ±0.3 D and LASEK: -0.03 ±0.15 D. Reading acuity in LogRAD (= reading equivalent of LogMAR) and reading speed in words per minute (wpm) were determined with the standardized "Radner Reading Charts". Statistical calculations were performed with SPSS. Results: Preoperatively, the distance visual acuity and all reading parameters were comparable between the LASIK and LASEK patients. Three weeks after refractive surgery no statistically significant differences to the preoperative measures and between the two surgical procedures could be found in any of the tested parameters. Conclusions: In a standardized reading test setting no significant effects of LASIK and LASEK on the individual reading performance could be evaluated. This indicates that patients can expect to retain their normal visual function after refractive surgery with these two procedures.  

Keywords: refractive surgery • reading • refractive surgery: comparative studies