MICROLAMELLAR KERATECTOMY FOR CORRECTION OF HIGH MYOPIA

Objective To evaluate the preliminary results oi high myopia correctio n by microlamellar keratectomy (MLK). Methods Seventy-three eyes of 43 patients with high myopia were treated by MLK. The preoperative refra ction ranged from -7. 00D to -32. 00D (mean -18. 45D+/-6. 18D). All th e operations were performed with the special apparatus for MLK. Result s At 6 months after surgery, in the 73 eyes except 2 with new other sy mptoms, all the uncorrected visual acuity and corrected visual acuity were better than or equal to their preoperative ones respectively. Unc orrected visual acuity was better than or equal to the preoperative co rrected visual acuity in 51 eyes (71. 83%). No severe complications oc curred during and alter operation. The postoperative refractive status was stable. Conclusions MLK is effective to reduce high myopia and ha s some special advantages as compared with radial keratotomy (RK), pho torefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK ). But influenced by several factors, the predictability oi this proce dure is merely fair. It is suggested that this kind of procedure must be done with excellent microsurgery equipments, microsurgical skills a nd much more clinical experience oi managing corneal disorders.