Visual rehabilitation with contact lenses after laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has become the surgical treat ment of choice for moderate myopia and is in widespread use globally. Visua l potential is sometimes limited due to irregular corneal topography follow ing surgery. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 35 eyes of 22 patients requiring v isual rehabilitation following LASIK was performed. Four contact lens desig ns were used and evaluated for appropriate cornea-contact lens fitting rela tionship. RESULTS: Mean best contact lens-corrected visual acuity of 20/25 was signif icantly better than best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/40. The av erage time from surgery to contact lens fitting was 8 months, with almost h alf (10/22) being fitted at 4 months. An aspheric design with 0.17 mm of ax ial edge lift was used most commonly. Lens diameters ranged hom 9.2 to 10.9 mm, with a mean diameter of 10.2 mm. The contact lens base curve to cornea relationship would suggest an initial base curve selection to be approxima tely 2.1 D steeper than the mean postoperative keratometric power. CONCLUSIONS: Rigid gas permeable contact lenses can improve visual function in patients with irregular corneal topography after LASIK.