Long-term Visual and Refractive Outcomes After LASIK for High Myopia and Astigmatism From -8.00 to -14.25 D.

PURPOSE: To evaluate outcomes of high myopic LASIK using the MEL 80 excimer laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 479 consecutive high myopic LASIK procedures (318 patients) using the MEL 80 excimer laser and VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec) in 77% of cases or zero compression Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY) in 23% of cases. Inclusion criteria were preoperative spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) of between -8.00 and -14.25 diopters (D) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/20 or better. Patients were observed for a minimum of 1 year. Flap thickness was between 80 and 160 µm and optical zone was between 5.75 and 6.50 mm. Standard outcomes analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Mean attempted SEQ was -9.39 ± 1.22 D (range: -8.00 to -14.18 D) and mean cylinder was -1.03 ± 0.84 D (range: 0.00 to -4.50 D). Mean age was 37 ± 9 years (range: 21 to 60 years) with 54% female patients. Postoperative SEQ was ±0.50 D in 55% and ±1.00 D in 83% of eyes after primary treatment. After re-treatment, 69% of eyes were within ±0.50 D and 95% were within ±1.00 D. UDVA was 20/20 or better in 89% of eyes after final treatment. One line of CDVA was lost in 3% of eyes and no eyes lost two or more lines. Statistically significant increases (P < .001) were measured in contrast sensitivity (CSV-1000) at 12 and 18 cycles per degree.

CONCLUSIONS

The MEL 80 excimer laser was found to achieve high efficacy and safety for treatment of high myopia between -8.00 and -14.25 D and up to -4.50 D of cylinder. [J Refract Surg. 2016;32(5):290-297.].