Laser in situ keratomileus using the LaserSight 200 laser: results of 950 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: To examine the refractive outcome in 950 consecutive eyes having laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) by 1 surgeon with experience in keratomileusis.

SETTING: Outpatient excimer laser surgical facility.

METHODS: This study comprised 950 consecutive eyes of 475 patients having LASIK as a primary procedure with a LaserSight 200 excimer laser (8.51 software). A nasal hinged flap and a Chiron microkeratome were used. Preoperative cycloplegic refraction was done only in patients younger than 25 years and in all hyperopic cases. Subjective preoperative and postoperative manifest refractions were done after autorefractometry in all cases. In cases of hyperopia, the software was modified by adding 30% to the refractive error. Enhancement results are not included.

RESULTS: Of the 950 eyes, 893 (94.00%) were myopic and 57 (6.00%), hyperopic. In the low myopia group (1.00 to 3.99 D) of 223 eyes (24.97%), mean spherical equivalents (SEs) were -2.90 D +/- 0.56 (SD) preoperatively, -0.46 +/- 0.6 D 3 months postoperatively, and -0.41 +/- 0.5 D 6 months postoperatively. In the moderate myopia group (4.00 to 5.99 D) of 205 eyes (22.96%), respective mean SEs were -4.90 +/- 0.7 D, -0.90 D +/- 0.9 D, and -0.67 +/- 0.7 D. In the high myopia group (6.00 to 9.99) of 266 eyes (25.30%), the respective means were -7.70 +/- 1.3 D, -0.76 +/- 0.99 D, and -0.60 +/- 0.8 D. In the extreme myopia group (10.21 to 30.00) of 199 eyes (22.28%), the respective means were -13.30 +/- 2.9 D, -1.30 +/- 1.4 D, and -1.13 +/- 1.3 D. For the entire myopic group, the mean astigmatism was +1.55 +/- 1.38 D, +1.09 +/- 0.92 D, and +0.87 +/- 0.77 D, respectively. The low hyperopia group (1.00 to 2.99 D) of 39 eyes (68.42%) had a mean preoperative SE of +1.80 +/- 0.59 D and mean postoperative SEs of +1.00 +/- 0.76 D at 3 months and +1.16 +/- 0.52 D at 6 months. The respective means in the moderate hyperopia group (3.00 to 6.00) of 18 eyes (31.57%) were +4.62 +/- 1.19 D, +3.71 +/- 1.12 D, and +4.00 +/- 1.07 D.

CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileus for myopia using the LaserSight 200 excimer laser was stable with time and safe for the correction of different degrees of myopia. In the hyperopic group, marked regression occurred in a large percentage of patients. Thus, we will not perform LASIK for hyperopia until the software improves.