To evaluate the refractive and contrast sensitivity results of lasik and lasek in patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism

ABSTRACTPurpose: To document and compare the mean visual acuity, spherical equivalent(SE), cylindirical refractive error and contrast sensitivity results of LASIK and LASEK in patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism.Patients and Methods: A retrospectgive review of the patients who underwent LASIK or LASEK for myopia or myopic astigmatism between November 2008 and November 2011 was performed at Department of Ophthalmology Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine. Preoperative data collected were, mean SE, mean cylindirical refractive error, mean contrast sensitivity, best corrected visual acuity(BCVA) and mean CCT. Postoperative data included mean SE, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), mean CCT and complications at 1, 3, 6 months and the last control. Results of the LASIK group were compared to that of the LASEK group.Results: LASIK group consisted of 60 eyes of 30 patients and LASEK group consisted of 60 eyes of 30 patients. All exams and surgeries were performed by one surgeon(ZO). Two groups were similar in terms of age and gender. Mean preoperative SE, BCVA and best corrected contrast senitivity values of the two groups were similar. Mean preoperative cylindirical refractive error values were statistically higher in LASEK group(p=0.02). Mean preoperative CCT values were statistically thinner in LASEK group(p=0.0). At postoperative first month; mean SE, cylindirical refractive error and contrast sensitivity values were not statistically significantly different, but mean UCVA values were statistically higher in LASIK group (p=0.015). At postoperative sixth month mean SE, cylindirical refractive error, contrast sensitivity and UCVA values were not statistically significantly different. Mean last exam time was 13.4 (9 ? 36 month) months. Also at the last exams; mean SE, cylindirical refractive error, contrast sensitivity and UCVA values were not statistically significantly different. Mean UCVA and contrast sensitivity values at the last exam were higher than the preoperative mean BCVA and contrast sensitivity values in both LASIK and LASEK groups. Most common complications were regression (%1.6 LASIK patient vs %6 LASEK patients) and grade 1 haze (2 LASEK patients)Conclusion: Both LASIK and LASEK procedures are effective and safe for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Quick visual rehabilitation and the less postoperative pain are the advantages of LASIK and low complication risk is the advantage of LASEK. The patients with normal corneal thickness and epithelium, normal lid aperture and low trauma risk are eligible for both procedures.