Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia of -1.50 to -6.00 diopters

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) fo r the correction of low and moderate myopia and astigmatism using the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser with a modified algorithm. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-six eyes of 257 patients with myopia rang ing from -1.50 to -6.00 D and astigmatism of no more than 4.00 D were inclu ded. Manifest spherical equivalent refraction, uncorrected and spectacle-co rrected visual acuity were assessed at 1 month (357 eyes, 90%), 3 months (2 20 eyes, 56%), and 6 months (168 eyes, 42%) after LASIK. RESULTS: Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -3.60 +/- 1. 27 D and mean cylinder was -1.01 +/- 1.08 D. Mean postoperative spherical e quivalent refraction was -0.12 +/- 0.31D and mean cylinder was -0.19 +/- 0. 33 D, At 6 months follow-up, 158 eyes (94%) had a mean postoperative spheri cal equivalent refraction within +/-0.50 D of emmetropia; 168 eyes (100%) w ere within +/-1.00 D. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 81% (136 eyes) and 20/40 or better in 100%. Two eyes (1.2%) lost 1 line of spec tacle-corrected visual acuity due to a decentered ablation. No eye lost 2 o r more lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Our modified LASIK algorithm with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer las er resulted in safe and predictable outcomes for treatment of low and moder ate amounts of myopia and astigmatism.