LASIK after retinal detachment surgery.

PURPOSE

To compare, in the same individuals, the safety and efficacy of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in eyes with and without previous retinal detachment surgery.

METHODS

In a prospective clinical trial, seven myopic patients who had previously undergone scleral buckling surgery in one eye underwent conventional LASIK surgery in both eyes. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, Orbscan topography and pachymetry were recorded before and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. The eyes were divided into two groups: group 1 consisted of eyes that had undergone previous surgery for retinal detachment, and group 2 consisted of the fellow eyes of the same patients, which had not undergone any previous ocular surgery. Student's t-test for match-paired data was used to evaluate the significance of differences.

RESULTS

LASIK was performed successfully in all patients. The UCVA improved in all eyes in both groups. The mean change in the spherical equivalent between 1 and 12 months after LASIK surgery was 1.7 +/- 1.1 and 0.6 +/- 0.5 diopter in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p = 0.019).

CONCLUSION

LASIK may be considered for treatment of myopia in eyes that have had previous surgery for retinal detachment. However, the risk of regression may be higher in such eyes than in eyes with no previous scleral buckling surgery.