Combined laser in situ keratomileusis and radial keratotomy for the treatment of moderate to high myopia

Abstract

Purpose To evaluate the results of combining laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and radial keratotomy (RK) for the correction of moderate to high myopia. Setting Corneal Consultants of Colorado, Littleton, Colorado, and International Eye Care Laser Vision Center, Houston, Texas, USA. Methods In a retrospective 2-surgeon interventional case series, outcomes in 60 eyes of 41 patients with moderate to high myopia were reported. All eyes had LASIK using a Visx Star S2 or Summit Apex Plus ® excimer laser. Residual myopia was treated with RK. Results Of the 54 eyes corrected for distance, the mean refractive spherical equivalent was –8.09 diopters (D) preoperatively and –0.43 D after LASIK and RK. The mean follow-up was 15.4 months. At the last visit, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 in 22 eyes (41%), 20/25 in 36 eyes (67%), and 20/40 in 51 eyes (94%). No eye lost 2 or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Conclusions Many patients previously considered poor refractive surgery candidates because of their degree of myopia or corneal thickness could be offered this safe and effective combined refractive technique.