Laser in situ keratomileusis improves visual acuity in some adult eyes with amblyopia

PURPOSE: To report the results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in a series of adult patients with amblyopia. METHODS: A retrospective noncomparative review was performed on patients with amblyopia who underwent LASIK for correction of ametropia, using the Summit Krumeich Barraquer microkeratome and the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser. Data were collected on uncorrected visual acuity, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, manifest refraction, anterior segment evaluation, intraocular pressure, corneal topography, and dilated fundus examination (preoperative and postoperatively on day 1, months 2 and 6). RESULTS: Eight eyes of seven patients were included, with a mean patient age of 30 +/- 10 years (range 21 to 49 yr). Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -4.70 D (range -12.62 to +4.71 D) and the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity varied from 20/32 to 20/80. At 2 months after LASIK, mean spherical equivalent refraction was -0.37 +/- 0.60 D (range -1.37 to + 0.60 D), uncorrected visual acuity ranged between 20/20 to 20/30, and a mean gain of 3 Snellen lines (range 2 to 4 lines) was observed. All patients reported significant subjective improvement in their perception of vision. The visual acuity and subjective improvement were maintained throughout 6 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK with the Nidek EC-5000 laser for correction of ametropia in adult amblyopic eyes provided encouraging results for visual acuity improvement beyond correction of the refractive error.