Long-term quality of life after posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation and after wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia

PURPOSE: To compare the vision-related quality of life 5 years after Implantable Collamer Lens phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation and after wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Kitasato University, Kanagawa, Japan. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Quality of life was measured with the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life instrument in consecutive patients 5 years after pIOL implantation or wavefront-guided LASIK to correct myopia. RESULTS: Phakic IOL implantation was performed in 48 patients and LASIK in 55 patients. The scores for activity limitations, symptoms, appearance, and satisfaction with correction were significantly higher in the pIOL group than in the LASIK group (P<.05, Mann-Whitney U test). No significant differences in other scores were observed between the 2 groups (P>.05). The scores for near vision and dependence on correction were significantly higher in the younger subgroup than in the older subgroup with both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Phakic IOL implantation may offer significant vision-related quality-of-life advantages (eg, fewer activity limitations and symptoms and better appearance and satisfaction with correction) over wavefront-guided LASIK for myopia in the long term. Moreover, refractive surgery may provide a better quality of life in younger patients.