LASIK for -6.00 to -12.00 D of myopia with up to 3.00 D of cylinder using the ALLEGRETTO WAVE: 3- and 6-month results with the 200- and 400-Hz platforms.

PURPOSE

To report the refractive results after LASIK for high myopia and cylinder at one center with one surgeon comparing two laser platforms.

METHODS

A total of 206 eyes of 121 patients were treated for -6.00 to -12.00 diopters (D) of spherical equivalent refractive error with up to 3.00 D of cylinder. All eyes underwent LASIK with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE 200-Hz (n=141) or 400-Hz (n=65) laser (Alcon Laboratories Inc) between 2003 and 2009. Corneal flaps were created with the IntraLase femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics) at an intended thickness of 100 or 110 μm in all cases.

RESULTS

At 3- and 6-month follow-up in the 200-Hz group, 77% (109/141) and 86% (121/141) of eyes, respectively, were within ±0.50 D of intended correction. In the 400-Hz group, 98.5% (64/65) and 100% (65/65) of eyes were within ±0.50 D of intended correction at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. At 3- and 6-month follow-up, 84% (119/141) and 77% (109/141) of eyes, respectively, in the 200-Hz group and 80% (52/65) and 92% (60/65) of eyes, respectively, in the 400-Hz group had 20/20 or better uncorrected distance visual acuity. At 6-month follow-up, refractive predictability and visual acuity were statistically superior in eyes in the 400-Hz group (chi square, P<.01). No eyes underwent retreatment as a secondary procedure during the time of analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

LASIK with the ALLEGRETTO WAVE 200- and 400-Hz laser is effective and predictable for the treatment of high myopia with astigmatism in appropriately selected patients. The acuity and predictability of refractive results may be slightly better when using the 400-Hz platform.