Posterior corneal surface differences between non-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and 10-year post-LASIK myopic eyes

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the posterior corneal surface differences between non-laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and 10-year post-LASIK myopic eyes.

Methods: The study included 130 eyes from 65 patients, who were treated with myopic LASIK 10 years ago. In addition, 130 eyes from 65 unoperated myopic patients of matching present age and preoperative refraction were divided into control group. Data on the posterior corneal surface and anterior chamber were obtained from Pentacam software and compared between the groups. Postoperative visual acuity (VA) and refractive error were also analysed.

Results: The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -6.99 ± 1.78 dioptre (D) in the LASIK group. Ten years after surgery, the mean SE was -0.45 ± 1.22 D, the efficacy index was 0.98, and the safety index was 1.01. The posterior corneal elevations of the LASIK group at 2 mm corneal diameter were significantly lower than those of the control group. However, posterior corneal elevations at 6 mm corneal diameter were higher in the LASIK group than the controls (p < 0.01 for all). The mean Q-values of posterior corneal surface demonstrated significant positive direction compared to that of control eyes at 6 and 7 mm corneal diameters (p < 0.05 for both). At the thinnest point of the cornea, the anterior chamber depths were shallower in the LASIK group than in controls. Meanwhile, the anterior chamber volumes (ACV) were smaller in the LASIK group than in the control group.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the posterior corneal surface tends to show signs of central flattening and peripheral steepening 10 years after myopic LASIK surgery compared to that of non-operated myopic eyes.

Keywords: laser in situ keratomileusis; long-term; posterior corneal surface; safety.