Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of retreatment after myopic
laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
Design: Retrospective, noncomparative case series.
Participants: A total of 962 eyes of 566 patients underwent LASIK for up to
-20.0 diopters (D) of myopia, of which 53 eyes (5.5%) were retreated.
Intervention: Retreatments were performed by lifting the original flap and
using the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser (Nidek inc., Tokyo, Japan).
Main Outcome Measures: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-cor
rected visual acuity (BCVA), fogged manifest refraction, and complications
were evaluated 6 months after retreatment.
Results: Overall, 53 (5.5%) of 962 eyes underwent LASIK retreatment. Before
retreatment, the mean spherical equivalent (MSE) was -1.7 +/- 1.1 D (range
, +0.3 to -5.0 D), UCVA ranged from 20/25 to 20/400, and BCVA ranged from 2
0/20 to 20/50. Six months after retreatment, the MSE was -0.09 +/- 0.29 D,
48 (90.6%) eyes were within +/- 0.5 D, and all eyes were within +/- 1.0 D o
f the attempted correction. The UCVA improved to 20/20 or better in 21 (39.
6%) eyes and 20/40 or better in 51 (96.2%) eyes. The BCVA was maintained in
33 eyes (62.3%), 15 eyes (28.3%) gained 1 line or more of vision, whereas
5 eyes (9.4%) lost 1 line. All eyes had a BCVA of 20/50 or better. No retre
ated eye lost two or move lines of BCVA. No complications were observed.
Conclusion: Retreatment for low amounts of residual myopia performed by lif
ting the original flap within the first year after surgery after myopic LAS
IK is safe, effective, and predictable.