Comparison between LASEK with mitomycin C and LASIK for the correction of myopia of -7.00 to -13.75 D

• Published in: Journal of refractive surgery (1995) Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 516 - 523
• Main Authors: de Benito-Llopis, Laura, Teus, Miguel A, Sánchez-Pina, Jose M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SLACK INCORPORATED 01.05.2008
• Subjects: Adult; Alkylating Agents - administration & dosage; Combined Modality Therapy; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted - methods; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ - methods; Lasers, Excimer; Mitomycin - administration & dosage; Myopia, Degenerative - drug therapy; Myopia, Degenerative - surgery; Prospective Studies; Single-Blind Method; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity - physiology
• ISSN: 1081-597X; 1938-2391
• DOI: 10.3928/1081597x-20080501-10

To compare laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and LASIK for the correction of high myopia. A prospective, single-masked study was conducted. Patients treated with LASEK to correct myopia > or = -7.00 diopters (D) (spherical equivalent manifest refraction) with a cylinder < or = -3.50 D (LASEK group) were compared to patients treated with LASIK (LASIK group) using the same excimer laser (Technolas 217C). Mitomycin C (MMC) 0.02% was applied for 1 minute in all LASEK-treated eyes. A total of 228 consecutive eyes were included in the study (114 in each group, matched for preoperative refraction). The mean preoperative spherical equivalent manifest refraction was -8.72 +/- 1.20 D in the LASEK group and -8.74 +/- 1.20 D in the LASIK group (range: -7.00 to -13.75 D) (P = .9). Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was significantly lower in LASEK eyes 1, 7, and 30 days postoperatively (P = .0001 for each comparison). No significant differences were found at 3 months postoperatively in UCVA (P = .3), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) (P = .2), or in the safety (P = .6) and efficacy (P = .8) indices. Uncorrected visual acuity was 1.0 or better in 34.2% of LASEK eyes and 44.7% of LASIK eyes. Spherical refraction was +0.25 +/- 0.6 D after LASEK and -0.06 +/- 0.5 D after LASIK (P = .0001). Sixty-eight percent of LASEK eyes and 79% of LASIK eyes were within +/- 0.50 D of intended refraction. No LASEK eye versus 7 LASIK eyes lost 2 lines of BSCVA. Eight LASEK eyes gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA versus 1 LASIK eye. Visual improvement after LASEK with intraoperative MMC was significantly slower than after LASIK. Visual outcomes (UCVA, BSCVA, and safety and efficacy indices) 3 months after surgery were similar with both techniques for the correction of high myopia. Ten percent more eyes after LASIK were within +/- 0.50 D of intended refraction.