Microlamellar keratectomy for correction of high myopia.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the preliminary results of high myopia correction by microlamellar keratectomy (MLK).

METHODS

Seventy-three eyes of 43 patients with high myopia were treated by MLK. The preoperative refraction ranged from -7.00D to -32.00D (mean -18.45D +/- 6.18D). All the operations were performed with the special apparatus for MLK.

RESULTS

At 6 months after surgery, in the 73 eyes except 2 with new other symptoms, all the uncorrected visual acuity and corrected visual acuity were better than or equal to their preoperative ones respectively. Uncorrected visual acuity was better than or equal to the preoperative corrected visual acuity in 51 eyes (71.83%). No severe complications occurred during and after operation. The postoperative refractive status was stable.

CONCLUSIONS

MLK is effective to reduce high myopia and has some special advantages as compared with radial keratotomy (RK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). But influenced by several factors, the predictability of this procedure is merely fair. It is suggested that this kind of procedure must be done with excellent microsurgery equipments, microsurgical skills and much more clinical experience of managing corneal disorders.