Laser in situ keratomileusis as treatment for anisometropia after scleral buckling surgery

Scleral buckling is an excellent procedure for retinal reattachment but can induce disabling refractive errors. Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has been proven effective for the reduction of refractive errors induced by ophthalmic surgery. We describe the case of a 53-year-old man who developed symptomatic anisometropia after placement of a scleral buckle for repair of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD). After the scleral buckling procedure, he retained excellent best corrected visual acuity but could not tolerate spectacle or contact lens correction. Thirty-four months after the scleral buckling procedure, LASIK was performed to correct myopic astigmatism with excellent refractive and functional results. This case demonstrates that LASIK may be safe and effective for the correction of refractive errors induced by RD repair. (C) 2003 ASCRS and ESCRS.