Epi-LASIK yields successful results in myopic patients with thin corneas

Issue: March 2013

In patients with thin corneas, epi-LASIK for myopia yielded successful results as a safe and predictable surface ablation procedure, but a larger study sample is needed to more accurately quantify results, according to a study.

The retrospective review included 56 eyes in 29 consecutive patients who underwent epi-LASIK for myopia correction. Twenty-eight eyes were categorized as having a thin cornea, with a central corneal thickness of less than 500 µm; an equal number of eyes with normal corneas in age- and gender-matched patients were used as controls.

Postoperatively, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA), spherical and cylindrical refractive error, mean keratometry readings, and pupil diameter were measured at 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 12 months.

In the thin cornea group, postoperative central corneal thickness was 464.14 ± 50.40 µm, and central cornea thickness was 421.89 ± 26.63 µm in the control group (P < .001).

“A larger study sample and a longer follow-up, as well as a more accurate preoperative refractive error equivalence between the groups, is required to further investigate the safety and predictability of epi-LASIK in thin corneas,” the authors said.

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Source:

Eur J Ophthalmol 2012;22(6):911-919.