Clinical outcome after in situ laser keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia: a series of 390 eyes

Purpose: We report our personal experience with LASIK for myopia to study i ts efficacy, safety, predictability and stability for low, moderate and hig h myopia. Patients and methods: Between January 1996 and December 1997, 390 eyes were treated. Follow-up was 6 months for 254 and one year for 136. Initial myop ia ranged from -1.5 to -16 diopters with a spherical equivalent of -8.49 D. The surgical procedure with topical anesthesia used the Chiron ALK-E autom ated corneal shaper for the initial flap of 160 microns thick, and the Chir on Excimer Laser Keracor 117 Technolas with an active eye tracking system f or the stromal photoablation. Preoperative refraction, uncorrected (UVA) an d best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared to postoperative result s. Results: They are reported overall and for sub-groups of myopia. (A less th an or equal to 5 D, -5 D<B<less than or equal to>-12 D, -12<C), based on G. O. Waring's recommendations. Efficacy seemed excellent since more than 50 % of eyes obtained an UVA<greater than or equal to>20/40 at 6 months. Averag e UVA was 0.65 D at one year and was as better as preoperative myopia was l ower (group A 0.65 D, group B 0.5 at 6 months). Mean spherical equivalent w as +0.08 D at J1 and -1.02 D at one year (group A -0.8 D, group B -0.67 D, and group C -3.92 D). Safety was correct and only a few per and postoperati ve complications were observed with only two patients losing more than two lines of BCVA. Mean BCVA was 0.72 at one year. Predictability demonstrated that 90% of group A eyes were at +/-1 D from emmetropia and 74% in group B at 6 months. More than 95% of eyes were stable at 6 months and 90% at one y ear. Conclusion: LASIK is a safe and efficient surgical treatment for low, moder ate and high myopia, and should be improved with new software and new corne al shapers.