Outcomes of Resident-Performed FS-LASIK for Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of resident-performed femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK).

METHODS

Records of 138 eyes of 69 patients treated by residents for myopia or myopic astigmatism between March 2018 and June 2020 were reviewed. All preoperative visits, procedures, and postoperative visits were supervised by attending physicians. Follow-up examinations were performed 1 day and 1 month postoperatively. Complications and enhancements were noted. Outcome measures included postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), refractive accuracy, and complications.

RESULTS

Eighteen residents performed FS-LASIK on a median of 8 eyes (interquartile range: 1.75). Fifty-nine patients (118 eyes) returned for a 1-month postoperative examination. UDVA was 20/40 or better in 117 eyes (99%) and 20/20 or better in 108 eyes (92%). The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) refractive error was -4.01 ± 1.82 diopters (D) in 138 eyes, decreasing to -0.12 ± 0.35 D at 1 month after surgery in the 102 eyes that were refracted. The SE was ±1.00 D in 100 eyes (98%) and ±0.50 D in 94 eyes (93%). The CDVA change was within one line in 100% of eyes. Intraoperative complications occurred in 5 eyes (3.62%), enhancements were performed in 3 eyes (2.17%), and postoperative complications developed in 3 eyes (2.17%).

CONCLUSIONS

Resident-performed FS-LASIK is relatively safe and effective in comparison to published U.S. Food and Drug Administration premarket approval studies. Early resident experience performing LASIK can improve the training of ophthalmic surgeons while simultaneously increasing patient access to laser vision correction. [J Refract Surg. 2021;37(8):545-551.].