Laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia in eyes after retinal detachment surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correction of myopia in eyes with previous retinal detachment surgery. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all consecutive eyes that underwent LASIK after retinal detachment surgery. Data was collected regarding previous ocular surgery and its time prior to LASIK, intra- and postoperative complications, and visual outcome measures pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Ten eyes with previous retinal detachment surgery were scheduled for LASIK One eye was excluded from data analysis as LASIK was aborted due to inadequate microkeratome suction because of conjunctival scarring. Nine eyes underwent an uneventful LASIK procedure. On average, LASIK was performed 130 +/- 123 months following retinal detachment surgery. Postoperative LASIK follow-up was 14.8 +/- 12.5 months. No significant intraoperative, postoperative, or retinal complications were observed. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -9.00 +/- 3.00 diopters (D), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.06 +/- 0.02, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 0.64 +/- 0.16. At the end of follow-up, the mean spherical equivalent refraction was 0.65 +/- 0.88 D, mean UCVA was 0.57 +/- 0.14, and mean BSCVA was 0.72 +/- 0.19. Differences between BSCVA before and after LASIK were statistically significant (P=.038). At final follow-up, the safety index was 1.22 and efficacy index was 1.01. CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileusis was found to be a safe and efficient option for treating refractive errors in eyes with previous retinal detachment surgery.