Seven-year Follow-up of LASIK for Myopia

PURPOSE: To assess the long-term refractive results, subjective parameters, and late sequelae of LASIK. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study was conducted on 38 eyes of 21 patients (17 with bilateral treatment and 4 with unilateral treatment) who had LASIK surgery between 1999 and 2000. Laser ablations were done with an excimer laser (VISX STAR and STAR S2). Follow-up was 2 months, 2 years, and > 7 years postoperatively. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and wavefront analysis were measured at the last follow-up and a questionnaire was answered. RESULTS: Postoperatively, BSCVA < or = 0.0 (logMAR) was obtained in 91%, 100%, and 89% of eyes at 2 months, 2 years, and at last follow-up, respectively. Postoperative spherical equivalent refraction within +/- 0.50 diopters (D) was obtained in 75%, 63%, and 42% of eyes at 2 months, 2 years, and 7 to 8 years, respectively. At 2 months and 2 years, 83% of eyes were within +/- 1.00 D, which decreased to 42% at 7 to 8 years. Mean spherical equivalent refraction at 2 months was -0.41 D, at 2 years -0.57 D, and at 7 to 8 years continued to decrease to -1.38 D. Patient satisfaction was high--100% of patients would have LASIK again. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK outcomes tend to shift toward undercorrection over time. Postoperative ectasia was not noted 7 to 8 years after LASIK. All patients were satisfied with the postoperative results although emmetropia was not reached.