Lasek vs. Lasik Visual Outcomes

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To compare the visual acuity outcomes of LASEK and LASIK for correction of mild to moderate myopia. Methods: We performed LASEK on patients using VISX S3 excimer laser. We compared the visual acuity of LASEK patients at 1 month and 3 months to LASIK patients at 6 months as reported by VISX. We also obtained wavefronts on LASIK and LASEK patients performed at our center. Results: The mean age of the LASEK patients was 41.5 +/- 5.8 years. The mean myopic refractive error was -3.7 +/- 1.2 diopters. The range of refractive error was -1.75 to -6.25. At 1 month 48.1% (13/27) of LASEK patients had visual acuity of 20/20 or better. At 3 months 85.7% (12/14) of patients had visual acuity of 20/20 or better. With LASIK patients at 6 months 58.6% of patients had visual acuity of 20/20 or better. At 1 month 96.3% (26/27) of LASEK patients had visual acuity of 20/40 or better. At 3 months 100% (14/14) of LASEK patients had visual acuity of 20/25 or better. VISX reported 97% of patients with visual acuity of 20/40 or better at 6 months. The comparison of pre and post-operative wavefronts of LASIK and LASEK patients with visual acuity of 20/20 or better at 1 month appears to indicate that the amount of higher order spherical aberration in LASEK patients is lower than in LASIK patients. Conclusion: The visual acuity is significantly better in LASEK patients at 3 months than LASIK patients at 6 months. There is a tendency towards lower levels of spherical aberration with LASEK when compared to LASIK.

Keywords: 544 refractive surgery • 548 refractive surgery: LASIK • 549 refractive surgery: other technologies