Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopic astigmatism.

Abstract

To evaluate the refractive results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopic astigmatic eyes, and to assess the efficacy, accuracy, stability, and safety of the procedure. LASIK was performed on 113 eyes of 73 patients for correction of myopic astigmatism ranging from 1.00 to 5.00 D, as measured by manifest refraction, with a mean baseline refractive astigmatism of 2.09 +/- 1.12 D. The Chiron Automated Corneal Shaper was used to create a corneal flap, and laser ablation was performed using the Chiron-Technolas Keracor 116 excimer laser. Follow-up time was 12 months for all eyes. Refractive astigmatism was stable by 3 months after surgery. At 1 year after LASIK, refractive astigmatism was reduced to a mean of 0.25 +/- 0.31 D (range 0 to 1.00 D). Sixty-one eyes (54%) had no residual astigmatism and 98 eyes (86.7%) had 0 to 0.50 D of refractive astigmatism. The mean percent reduction of preoperative astigmatism was 87.9 +/- 14.9%. The mean axis deviation of the surgically induced astigmatism was 2.1 +/- 3.1 degrees, with 96 eyes (84.9%) within 5 degrees of the desired axis. The percent correction of preoperative astigmatism in the proper axis was 97.1 +/- 15.5%. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved by 2 lines in 11 eyes (9.7%), and was reduced by 1 line only in 1 eye. There were no other significant complications. LASIK with the Chiron-Technolas Keracor 116 excimer laser was effective for correction of myopic astigmatism, with good stability after 3 months. The results were predictable with an acceptable degree of accuracy. LASIK is a safe procedure with very few complications.