Short term LASIK outcomes using the Technolas 217C excimer laser and Hansatome microkeratome in 46,708 eyes treated between 1998 and 2001.

PURPOSE: To report the outcomes of a high-volume, multi-surgeon, multicentre LASIK corporation between 1998 and 2001.

METHODS

46,708 eyes of 24,138 consecutive patients with myopic astigmatism had undergone LASIK using the Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217C excimer laser and Hansatome microkeratome. The study included 38 surgeons operating at 11 surgical centres. 31 surgeons underwent standardised training regardless of previous experience, which included didactic, observership and proctorship components. Mean attempted spherical equivalent refraction correction was -4.02 ± 1.93 D (range -0.50 to -12.00 D). Mean attempted cylinder correction was 0.78 ± 0.69 D (range 0.00 to 3.50 D). Median follow-up was 3 months.

RESULTS

Postoperative data with at least 1 month follow-up was available in 35,360 eyes (76%) of 18,195 patients. Predictability: mean deviation from intended spherical equivalent refraction correction was -0.21 ± 0.47 D with 81% of eyes within ±0.50 D and 95% of eyes within ±1.00 D.

EFFICACY: uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 in 71% of eyes and 20/40 in 95% of eyes.

SAFETY: two or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity were lost in 0.57% of eyes. Postoperative corrected distance visual acuity was worse than 20/40 in 0.029% of eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term results of a high-volume, multi-surgeon LASIK Corporation were comparable with those reported in the Food and Drug Administration clinical trials during the same period.