Jj. Perezsantonja et al., SUBCLINICAL INFLAMMATION AFTER LASER IN-SITU KERATOMILEUSIS, Journal of cataract and refractive surgery, 24(8), 1998, pp. 1059-1063
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.