Comparing predictability between eyes after bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis: a theoretical analysis of simultaneous versus sequential procedures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the predictability of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) between eyes of individuals to determine whether the refractive result of the first eye is useful in improving fellow eye outcomes.

DESIGN: Single-center case series.

PARTICIPANTS: One surgeon and 196 eyes of 98 patients.

INTERVENTION: All patients received sequential bilateral LASIK. The mean time between procedures was 11.6 days. Attempted corrections ranged from 2.30 to 12.00 diopters (D).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictability (achieved minus attempted correction), postoperative manifest refraction, and theoretical postoperative manifest refraction, using a proposed attempted correction on the second eye based on first eye results, were analyzed.

RESULTS: At 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, predictability of the first operated eye was correlated with predictability of the fellow eye (1 week: mean 1st = 0.33 D, mean 2nd = 0.33 D, Pearson coefficient = 0.46, P < 0.0005; 1 month: mean 1st = 0.028 D, mean 2nd = -0.020 D, Pearson coefficient = 0.43, P < 0.0005; 3 months: mean 1st = -0.22 D, mean 2nd = -0.12 D, Pearson coefficient = 0.52, P < 0.0005). At the 3-month follow-up of the second eye, comparing the actual distance from emmetropia with that calculated using a theoretical proposed attempted correction based on the first eye refraction, distance from emmetropia was closer in the theoretical correction group. This finding was stronger in patients with preoperative myopia less than 5.5 D (P = 0.03). For this group, 93% of patients in the proposed attempted correction group would fall within 1.0 D of emmetropia compared to 80% found in the actual outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: The refractive predictability between the two eyes of an individual after LASIK is correlated. Theoretically, therefore, one may be able to achieve correction closer to emmetropia in the second eye by applying the refractive predictability results from the first operated eye. In this study, using a theoretical proposed attempted correction in the second eye based on the first eye outcome, we have shown that better outcomes in the second eye are possible, particularly in low myopes. Thus, it may be advantageous to perform bilateral LASIK sequentially rather than simultaneously, using predictability outcomes from the first operated eye in planning fellow eye treatment. Moreover, waiting approximately 1 week was found to be potentially as effective as waiting longer periods of time between treatments. Further studies are necessary to better assess the actual clinical significance of these findings.