from: JOURNAL OF REFRACTIVE SURGERY     Vol. 20 No. 2   March/April 2004

Laser Subepithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) for Myopia of -6 to -10 Diopters With Astigmatism With the MEL60 Laser

Kamil Bilgihan, MD; Ahmet Hondur, MD; Berati Hasanreisoglu, MD

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy, predictability, and safety of laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for treatment of high myopia with astigmatism.

METHODS

LASEK was performed in 61 eyes of 36 consecutive patients with myopic spherical equivalent refraction of -6.00 to -10.00 D using the Aesculap-Meditec MEL60 excimer laser. Data were collected prospectively with a follow-up of 6 to 17 months. Main outcome measures recorded were UCVA, BSCVA, residual refractive error, corneal haze, and complications.

RESULTS

Ninety-six percent of eyes achieved 20/40 or better UCVA at 1 month. At 12 months, 64% of eyes achieved 20/20 and 92% achieved 20/40 or better UCVA. Two eyes lost 2 lines of BSCVA at 6 or 12 months. Accuracy of correction was ±0.50 D from emmetropia in 82% of eyes, and ±1.00 D in 90% at 12 months. No eye showed more than grade 1 haze. Grade 1 haze was observed in three eyes at 12 months. One patient had mild postoperative keratitis, which was successfully treated.

CONCLUSIONS

LASEK with the Aesculap- Meditec MEL60 excimer laser appeared to be safe, effective, and highly predictable in treating high myopia. [J Refract Surg 2004;20:121-126]

AUTHORS

From Gazi University Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara, Turkey.

The authors have no proprietary interest in the materials mentioned herein.

Correspondence: Kamil Bilgihan, MD, Defne Sitesi 3. Blok 53/10 Ümitköy, Ankara 06530, Turkey. Tel: 90.312.235 72 51; Fax: 90.312.212 57 94; E-mail: bilgihan@gazi.edu.tr

Received: March 24, 2003

Accepted: September 22, 2003