Purpose: To prospectively study the dependence of visual outcomes and patient satisfaction on corneal keratometry (K) in hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
Setting: John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Methods: Twenty-six patients (49 eyes) who had hyperopic LASIK from January to October 2005 were prospectively studied. Twelve patients (24 eyes) with a preoperative K value less than 43.0 diopters (D) (Group 1) were compared with 14 patients (25 eyes) with a preoperative K value greater than 44.0 D (Group 2).
Results: The mean preoperative hyperopia was +3.44 D (range +1.57 to +5.25 D). Ten patients in Group 2 and 1 patient in Group 1 lost 2 or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA). There was a statistically significant difference in subjective patient satisfaction (scale 1 to 4; 4=most satisfied) between Group 1 and Group 2 (mean 2.75+/-0.61 and 1.52+/-0.66, respectively) (P<.0001). Group 2 had a statistically significantly higher dryness score (scale 0 to 3; 3=severe) (mean 1.84+/-0.70 versus 0.17+/-0.38) (P<.0001). There was no between-group difference in the degree of preoperative hyperopia or keratometric change.
Conclusions: An increased incidence of loss of BSCVA and decreased patient satisfaction was associated with a preoperative K value greater than 44.0 D in hyperopic LASIK, indicating caution is required when performing LASIK in eyes with moderate to high hyperopia and steep preoperative corneal keratometry.