LASEK Useful Technique For Enhancement After LASIK

LASEK appears to be a safe and effective technique for enhancement in eyes that had previously been treated with LASIK. It is less invasive than a LASIK enhancement, reported Johnny L. Gayton, MD, during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) meeting.

The advantages of LASEK over LASIK include less chance of infection, no diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK), no increase in IOP because there is no suction, less pain, no stromal flap, and is less likely to induce higher-order aberrations, LASEK also has advantages of preserving corneal integrity as well as less dry eye, said Dr. Gayton, who is affiliated with Eyesight Associates, Warner Robins, GA.

"It is effective in both overcorrections and undercorrections," Dr. Gayton said.

Some disadvantages of LASEK are more pain and discomfort initially after the procedure, longer visual recovery time, and the possibility of haze. However, haze does usually resolve quickly and can be treated with mitomycin if it doesn't, Dr. Gayton said.

He conducted a study of LASEK over LASIK in 29 eyes of 17 patients. Of these patients, six had previous flap complications, one had DLK, and two had previous mycobacterium infection after LASIK. Seven eyes had been treated previously with a LASIK enhancement.

The mean follow-up in the LASEK over LASIK cases was 40 weeks (range 93 days to 115 days). Of these cases 95% achieved 20/40 or better uncorrected visual acuity. Only one eye lost 2 lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, he said.

Dr. Gayton noted that there were no major complications from LASEK over LASIK.

May 1, 2004 Ophthalmology Times Meeting E-News
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