Laser in situ keratomileusis for hyperopia

PURPOSE: To examine the initial results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for hyperopia. SETTING: Arzt für Augenheilkunde, Mannheim, and Photoingenieur, Wendelstein, Germany. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 43 eyes having hyperopic LASIK using the Automatic Corneal Shaper (Chiron Vision) and the MEL 60 excimer laser (model 94, Aesculap-Meditec). Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of 20 eyes with a refraction from +1.00 to +4.00 diopters (D) and Group 2, 23 eyes from +4.25 to +8.00 D. Objective refraction and visual acuity were measured over 12 months. RESULTS: One year after LASIK, Group 1 had a mean spherical equivalent of +0.33 D (range -0.79 to +1.45 D) and Group 2, +1.91 D (range -0.08 to +3.71 D). Best corrected visual acuity remained unchanged in 35.0% in Group 1 and 56.5% in Group 2. Five percent in Group 1 and 7.3% in Group 2 lost more than 2 lines of best corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileusis for hyperopia resulted in less regression, minimal haze, and better predictability and stability than surface photorefractive keratectomy. Preoperative corneal radius appeared to be an important factor in eyes with high hyperopia.