Outcomes of retreatment after laser in situ keratomileusis

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of retreatment after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Design Retrospective, noncomparative case series. Participants A total of 962 eyes of 566 patients underwent LASIK for up to −20.0 diopters (D) of myopia, of which 53 eyes (5.5%) were retreated. Intervention Retreatments were performed by lifting the original flap and using the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser (Nidek Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Main outcome measures Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fogged manifest refraction, and complications were evaluated 6 months after retreatment. Results Overall, 53 (5.5%) of 962 eyes underwent LASIK retreatment. Before retreatment, the mean spherical equivalent (MSE) was −1.7 ± 1.1 D (range, +0.3 to −5.0 D), UCVA ranged from 20/25 to 20/400, and BCVA ranged from 20/20 to 20/50. Six months after retreatment, the MSE was −0.09 ± 0.29 D, 48 (90.6%) eyes were within ±0.5 D, and all eyes were within ±1.0 D of the attempted correction. The UCVA improved to 20/20 or better in 21 (39.6%) eyes and 20/40 or better in 51 (96.2%) eyes. The BCVA was maintained in 33 eyes (62.3%), 15 eyes (28.3%) gained 1 line or more of vision, whereas 5 eyes (9.4%) lost 1 line. All eyes had a BCVA of 20/50 or better. No retreated eye lost two or more lines of BCVA. No complications were observed. Conclusion Retreatment for low amounts of residual myopia performed by lifting the original flap within the first year after surgery after myopic LASIK is safe, effective, and predictable.