SUBCLINICAL INFLAMMATION AFTER LASER IN-SITU KERATOMILEUSIS

Purpose: To determine whether laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia induces an anterior chamber inflammatory res ponse measurable with laser flare-cell photometry. Setting: Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Alicante, Spain. Methods: Twenty eyes in 20 patients had LASIK to correct myopia ranging from 2.50 to 15.00 diopt ers (D) (mean -8.94 +/- 3.25 [SD]). Anterior chamber inflammation was measured preoperatively and 1, 3, 7, and 15 days and 1 and 3 months po stoperatively using the flare mode of a laser flare-cell meter. All ey es received topical fluoromethalone 0.1% drops for 2 weeks postoperati vely. Results: Anterior chamber flare values at 1 and 3 days and 1 wee k postoperatively were not significantly different fro those found pre operatively. However, a significant decrease was found at 2 weeks and 1 month (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). Flare values returned to their preoperative levels at 3 months. No significant correlations bet ween postoperative flare values and depth of ablation were found. Conc lusion: In this study, LASIK did not induce an inflammatory response i n the anterior chamber in the myopic eye.