Laser in situ keratomileusis versus laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy for the correction of high myopia

PURPOSE: To compare the visual and refractive outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) in the treatment of high myopia. SETTING: Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, and Balgeunsesang Ophthalmology Clinic, Seoul, South Korea. METHODS: Four hundred seventy eyes of 240 patients with manifest refraction spherical components greater than -6.00 diopters (D) were assigned to 2 groups: 324 eyes (167 patients) were treated with LASIK and 146 eyes (73 patients), with LASEK. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), remaining refractive error, corneal haze, and complications were followed in both groups for 12 months. RESULTS: At 12 months, the mean spherical equivalent (SE) was within +/-0.50 D of emmetropia in 205 eyes (63.3%) in the LASIK group and 81 eyes (55.5%) in the LASEK group and within +/-1.00 D in 261 eyes (80.6%) and 104 eyes (71.2%), respectively. The UCVA was 20/25 or better in 269 LASIK eyes (83.0%) and 111 LASEK eyes (76.0%). There was more than a 1-line loss of BSCVA in 4 LASIK eyes (1.2%) and 21 LASEK eyes (14.3%). The between-group differences in SE, magnitude of cylinder, UCVA, and haze were statistically significant (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both LASIK and LASEK were safe and effectively treated eyes with high myopia. Laser in situ keratomileusis provided superior results in visual predictability and corneal opacity.