Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).
Subjects and method: LASEK was performed on 82 eyes of 42 patients whose spherical refraction ranged from -0.75 to -12.00 D (mean, -6.09 D) and cylindrical refraction ranged from 0 to -5.00 D (mean, -0.95 D). LASEK is a method of making a epithelial flap using 20% ethanol and repositioning the flap after excimer laser ablation. The clinical results of postoperative refraction and complications were examined.
Results: At 1 week and 1 month after the operation, 69 eyes(84.1%) and 79 eyes(96.3%) achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better. At 1 week and 1, 3 months after the operation, the mean spherical refraction was +0.09 +/- 0.49(mean +/- standard deviation) D, +0.29 +/- 0.47 D, +0.13 +/- 0.46 D. At 1 month 65 eyes (79.3%) were within +/- 0.5 D and 78 eyes(95.1%) were within +/- 1.0 D. 51 eyes (62.2%) had the complication of corneal haze.
Conclusion: LASEK achieved good uncorrected visual acuity, but there were some complications such as postoperative pain, the delayed recovery of visual acuity, and corneal haze, so that a long and careful follow-up seems necessary.