Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:Evaluate the refractive outcome, objective clinical data and determine the efficacy, predictability and safety of LASEK for treatment of myopia. Methods:A retrospective study was performed on the first 19 LASEK-treated eyes at our institution. Myopia (with and without astigmatism) ranged between -3,50 and -10,50 diopters (mean -7,04D). Surgical technique in 12 cases used an 8,0mm circular trephine filled with 20% ethanol solution applied on the cornea for 40 seconds, while the other 7 cases used a 8,0mm sponge soaked with 20% ethanol solution applied for the same time. Refractive surgery was performed using the Alcon LADARVision 4000 Laser. After surgery, patients received Fluorometholone 0,1% for 1 month. Corneal haze, BCVA, UCVA and manifest refraction were the parameters evaluated. Results:Of 19 eyes studied, 3 were corrected for monovision (targeted to achieve -1,00D). In the non-monovision group, at 1 month 100% eyes had UCVA 20/40 or better and 40% achieved 20/25 or better. At 3 months, 94,7% eyes had UCVA 20/40 or better and 43,7% achieved 20/25 or better. 1 of 19 eyes had trace corneal haze at 1 month, 8 eyes had 1+ haze and 1 eye 2+ haze. At 3 months 1 eye had trace corneal haze, 9 eyes had 1+ haze and 2 eyes had 2+ haze. One patient developed significant haze with regression 6 months after surgery with UCVA 20/100. After treatment with Prednisolone 1% drops the haze regressed and UCVA improved to 20/25. No eyes lost ≷ 1 Snellen line of BCVA. 3 and 6-month data will be reported. With both techniques, the surgeon experienced limitations in creating the epithelial flap. Conclusion:Despite being an effective method to correct myopia, LASEK is a challenging surgical procedure. Even for an experienced surgeon, creating the epithelial flap is not simple as described by others. This can be one of the causes of high haze incidence in our study. In addition to this, fluorometholone acetate was used for just one month, and other papers showing low haze incidence used either fluorometholone or prednisolone acetate until 3 months after surgery. Additionally, topical mitomycin may be a helpful adjunct in eyes with high correction.
Keywords: 544 refractive surgery