Evaluation of the relationship between ablation diameter, pupil size, and visual function with vision-specific quality-of-life measures after laser in situ keratomileusis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between ablation diameter, pupil size, and visual function as measured by a vision-specific quality-of-life instrument after undergoing laser in situ keratomileusis.

METHODS: Of 300 patients eligible for this study, 97 (32.3%) responded to a mailed study questionnaire, the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life (RQL) Instrument. The RQL Instrument was administered in all 97 patients after laser in situ keratomileusis. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for the association between RQL subscale scores and characteristics including pupil diameter and uncorrected visual acuity.

RESULTS: Positive correlations between larger mesopic and scotopic pupil diameter and higher RQL satisfaction scores (0.12 and 0.19, respectively) were not statistically significant at the P=.05 level. As uncorrected visual acuity in the better eye improved, patients reported significantly less worry (-0.22; P=.03), more satisfaction (-0.25; P=.01), clearer vision (-0.25; P=.01), and better far vision (-0.24; P=.02).

CONCLUSION: Larger pupil diameter is not significantly associated with postoperative satisfaction and visual function as measured with the RQL. Rather, postoperative uncorrected visual acuity is confirmed as a strong predictor of patient satisfaction after refractive surgery.