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Hyperopia increases up to 16 years after hyperopic LASIK
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The efficacy of hyperopic LASIK was found to be limited in patients after 16.5 years, but patients were generally happy they had the procedure, according to researchers in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
“How much the results in our study can be precisely compared with the results of modern femtosecond LASIK flaps and ablations using flying-spot and wavefront-guided technology is uncertain,” researchers wrote.
A total of 52 patients had hyperopic LASIK, with 19 patients agreeing to long-term follow-up.
Researchers reported a statistically significant increase in the hyperopic refractive error between 1.0 year and 16.5 years and between 5.0 years and 16.5 years.
The changes within the first 5 years were higher than what was expected physiologically, according to the researchers.
Five eyes developed visually significant cataract during the 16.5-year follow-up period, and the increase in hyperopic refractive error over time was less in older patients than in younger ones, according to the study.
“...The stability of the corrections at the level of the cornea and lack of sight-threatening complications attributed to the LASIK procedure are very encouraging and will hopefully stimulate long-term follow-up of hyperopic LASIK using modern laser platforms and flap-creation systems,” the researcher wrote. – by Abigail Sutton
Disclosure: Dave reported no relevant financial disclosures. For all remaining authors’ disclosures, please see the full study.
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