Visual field defect associated with laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To report a case of visual field defect associated with laser in s itu keratomileusis. METHODS: Case report, A 28-year-old woman with high myopia (-10D) and a fam ily history of normal tension glaucoma underwent bilateral laser in situ ke ratomileusis keratorefractive surgery, Preoperatively, both eyes had normal intraocular pressure and visual field. RESULTS: At the first postoperative visit 1 day after apparently uncomplica ted laser in situ keratomileusis, the patient reported a scotoma in the rig ht eye, At 3-month follow-up, visual fields revealed the patient had develo ped a near superior altitudinal visual field defect in the right eye. The d efect did not progress over 1 year of follow up examinations. CONCLUSION: Increased intraocular pressure associated with the microkeratom e vacuum ring used during laser in situ keratomileusis may have precipitate d optic nerve head ischemia and visual field defect. (C) 2000 by Elsevier S cience Inc. All rights reserved.