Visual field defect associated with laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To report a case of visual field defect associated with laser in situ keratomileusis. METHODS: Case report, A 28-year-old woman with high myopia (-10D) and a family history of normal tension glaucoma underwent bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis keratorefractive surgery, Preoperatively, both eyes had normal intraocular pressure and visual field. RESULTS: At the first postoperative visit 1 day after apparently uncomplicated laser in situ keratomileusis, the patient reported a scotoma in the right eye, At 3-month follow-up, visual fields revealed the patient had developed a near superior altitudinal visual field defect in the right eye. The defect did not progress over 1 year of follow up examinations. CONCLUSION: Increased intraocular pressure associated with the microkeratome vacuum ring used during laser in situ keratomileusis may have precipitated optic nerve head ischemia and visual field defect. (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.