LASER IN-SITU KERATOMILEUSIS FOR MYOPIA FROM -5.50 TO -11.50 DIOPTERSWITH ASTIGMATISM

PURPOSE: To determine the efficacy, predictability, safety, and short- term stability of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in treating pat ients with high myopia and astigmatism. METHODS: We retrospectively st udied the results of our initial 119 eyes with myopia ranging from -5. 50 to -11.50 D and astigmatism less than 4.00 D that underwent LASIK w ith the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser. Follow-up was at 1 day, 1 month, and 3 to 6 months; follow-up was 71% (84 eyes) at the 3 to 6 month vis it (average 4.5 months). RESULTS: Of the 84 eyes with 3 to 6 months of follow-up, mean baseline spherical equivalent refraction was -8.62 +/ - 1.27 D and mean cylinder was -1.84 +/- 1.02 D. Mean postoperative sp herical equivalent refraction at the last examination was -0.61 +/- 0. 84 D and mean cylinder was -0.39 +/- 0.38 D, with 83% (70 eyes) achiev ing a spherical equivalent refraction within +/-1.00 D of emmetropia, and 56% (47 eyes) within +/-0.50 D. Mean regression of spherical equiv alent from 1 day to 1 month was less than -0.50 D and refractions were stable between 1 month and 3 to 6 months. An uncorrected visual acuit y of 20/40 or better was noted in 84% (71 eyes) of these eyes on day 1 after surgery, in 75% (63 eyes) at 1 month, and in 77% (65 eyes) at 3 to 6 months. Twenty-two percent (18 eyes) of these eyes achieved 20/2 0 or better uncorrected visual acuity at 3 to 6 months; only 17% (14 e yes) had 20/20 or better spectacle-corrected visual acuity before surg ery. One patient lost two or more lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity at the last examination due to epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.