Long-term clinical course of laser in situ keratomileusis--two year follow-up

PURPOSE: To evaluate the cases that were treated with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and who were follwed up for a full 2-year period without fail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LASIK was performed in 62 eyes of 35 patients between June 1997 and March 1999. Mean age was 29.1 years and the preoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction was -6.90 +/- 2.49 (mean +/- standard deviation) diopter (D). Five aspects were studied as follows. RESULTS: 1. Safety: 26 eyes (41.9%) gained 1 line or more in best corrected visual acuity. Twenty eyes (32.3%) were unchanged. Sixteen eyes(25.8%) lost 1 line. No eye lost 2 lines or more. The safety index was 1.04. 2. Efficacy: The efficacy index was 0.85. 3. Predictability: Forty-eight eyes (77.4%) were predictable within +/- 0.5 D, and 55 eyes (88.7%) were within +/- 1.0 D. 4. Stability: Manifest refraction was relatively stable after 3 months. 5. Complication: No complications were experienced. CONCLUSIONS: Our 2-year follow-up showed that postoperatively LASIK was safe and effective.