LASIK for the correction of residual refractive errors from previous surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) efficacy in correcting residual refractive errors after corneal or intraocular surgery (penetrating keratoplasty, radial keratotomy, photorefractive keratectomy, phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, penetrating ocular trauma and phakic IOL implantation). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed LASIK in 87 eyes of 62 patients previously operated by means of other surgical techniques to completely correct the residual refractive error. We report the mean refractive error (in terms of spherical equivalent refraction), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and spectacle corrected visual acuity (SCVA) before and after the surgical procedure. We also analyze safety and stability, in these results with a minimum of 12 months follow-up. RESULTS: Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -5.25 +/- 2.1 diopters (D). Postoperatively, mean spherical equivalent was -0.70 +/- 0.65 D, 76% of eyes were between plano and -1.00 D and 99% were between plano and -2.25 D. At 12 months follow-up the change in the refractive result was equal or less than 0.5 D in 94% of eyes. Preoperatively SCVA was 1.0 or better in 24.13% of cases, and 0.5 or better in 89.65%. Postoperative SCVA was 1.0 or better in 26.43% and 0.5 or better in 95%. Preoperative UCVA was 0.1 in 2 eyes, 0.05 in 4 eyes and count fingers in the rest of the cases. Postoperative UCVA was 1.0 or better in 1.1% and 0.5 or better in 70.1%. We had an extremely low complication rate in this particular group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK can be successfully used to correct residual refractive errors after other surgical procedures.