LASEK versus LASIK for the correction of moderate myopia

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the results of laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of moderate myopia.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, single-masked, interventional study of 80 consecutive eyes. Forty eyes that had undergone LASEK to correct myopia of -2.0 to -6.0 D were compared with age and refraction matched patients treated with LASIK. All eyes had been operated by the same experienced surgeon using the same laser (Technolas 217). Mitomycin C was not used in any patient.

Results: Eighty eyes were reviewed (40 treated with LASEK, 40 treated with LASIK). The preoperative mean sphere was -3.8 D (range -2 to -6D) and mean cylinder was -0.7 D (range 0 to -2 D) in both groups. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was worse in LASEK eyes 1 and 7 days postoperatively (p = 0.0001), although the difference 7 days postoperatively (<one letter) was not clinically meaningful. No significant differences were noted 3 months postoperatively either in the uncorrected visual acuity, in the best-spectacle corrected visual acuity, or in the residual refractive error. Nine LASEK-treated eyes showed a postoperative refraction of +1 D or more. These cases had a higher preoperative sphere (-4.5 D) compared with the nonovercorrected LASEK-treated eyes (-3.5 D) (p = 0.03). One eye after LASEK and four eyes after LASIK needed retreatment (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: LASEK and LASIK seem to be similar in terms of safety and efficacy for the correction of moderate myopia. Nevertheless, a trend toward overcorrection was found in the LASEK group in correlation with a higher preoperative refractive error.