LASIK is associated with early cataract surgery in healthy patients.

Abstract

To evaluate the association between LASIK and early cataract phacoemulsification surgery (PE). A matched case-control study was conducted. Cases were otherwise healthy adults with a history of LASIK. Groups were paired according to corrected-distance visual acuity (CDVA), axial length, and cataract grade. A total of 213 patients were included. 85 patients were classified as post-LASIK group and 128 as controls. The mean age at the time of LASIK was 42.32 ± 9.24years. The mean CDVA before PE was 0.29 ± 0.19 Log MAR in post-LASIK group and 0.34 ± 0.22 Log MAR in controls (p = 0.07). The mean axial length was 23.99 ± 1.78mm in post-LASIK group and 23.62 ± 0.98mm in controls (p = 0.085). The mean nuclear cataract grading was 1.36 in post-LASIK group and 1.47 in controls (p = 0.34). The mean age at the time of PE was 60.18 ± 7.46years in post-LASIK group and 67.35 ± 9.28 in controls (p < 0.0005). The difference between the mean age of LASIK and the mean age of PE was 17.85 ± 5.72years. There was a positive association between the post-LASIK group and the age of PE ≤ 55years (OR: 4.917, 95% CI: 2.21-10.90, p < 0.001). LASIK may be associated with early PE. Patients with LASIK had a 7-year earlier PE compared to a matched control group.