Myopic LASIK in psychiatric patients

Cornea. 2012 Feb;31(2):150-4. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e3182215a36.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the surgical results obtained in patients with psychiatric disorders who underwent myopic laser in situ keratomileusis. (LASIK).

Methods: Retrospective study of 156 eyes of 82 patients who underwent LASIK to correct a myopic spherical equivalent (SE) at Clínica Baviera-Instituto Oftalmológico Europeo, Bilbao, Spain. All procedures were performed with the Technolas Keracor 217 Z excimer laser. Patients had a preoperative diagnosis of bipolar disorder (79 eyes of 42 patients), schizophrenia (61 eyes of 32 patients), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (16 eyes of 8 patients). Before surgery, the average sphere of the series was -3.92 ± 2.24 D in the first group, -3.45 ± 2.03 D in the second group, and -3.39 ± 1.97 D in the third group. We surveyed the patients to analyze subjective assessment from the patient's perspective.

Results: At the last available visit after treatment, we obtained an SE of ±0.50 D in 85.71% of eyes with bipolar disorder, 88.52% of eyes with schizophrenia, and 93.75% of eyes with obsessive-compulsive disorder. The efficacy index was 1.00 ± 0.20 in the first group, 1.03 ± 0.21 in the second group, and 1.00 ± 0.07 in the third group. No eye lost 2 lines or more of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity.

Conclusions: We found that patients with compensated psychiatric disorders, of which the surgeon was aware, achieved excellent results after surgery, with no remarkable complications. Patients tolerated the procedures well and were satisfied.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bipolar Disorder* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myopia / psychology
  • Myopia / surgery*
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder* / psychology
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Schizophrenia*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Visual Acuity
  • Young Adult