Change in intraocular pressure in myopic eyes measured with contact and non-contact tonometers after laser in situ keratomileusis

pressure (IOP) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correction of myopia. METHODS: One hundred twenty consecutive myopic eyes (60 patients) were incl uded in a prospective study. All eyes received LASIK with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser and the Chiron Automated Corneal Shaper. Baseline refraction , keratometry, pachymetry, ablation depth, and IOP measured by Goldmann app lanation tonometry and non-contact air puff tonometry were correlated with the IOP change after surgery. Sixty healthy eyes of 30 subjects served as c ontrols. RESULTS: At 6 months, 108 eyes (90%) were examined. Compared 60 preoperativ e values, IOP decreased in 103 eyes (95.4%) when measured with applanation tonometry; it decreased in all eyes when measured with air puff tonometry. Mean change in IOP was -4.3 +/- 2.1 mmHg (range, -10.0 to +1.0 mmHg) with t he applanation and -6.1 +/- 2.3 mmHg (range, -12.0 to -1.0 mmHg) with air p uff tonometry. The IOP change measured with either instrument correlated si gnificantly with the baseline IOP (P < .001) and the ablation depth lair pu ff, P < .001, applanation; P = .006). CONCLUSION: Intraocular pressure decreased significantly after LASIK when m easured with either Goldmann (mean 4.3 mmHg) or air puff (mean 6.1 mmHg) to nometers. This decrease may delay the diagnosis or affect the management of future glaucoma that may develop in a myopic eye that received LASIK.