Comparison of Short Term Clinical Results Between LASEK and Epi-LASIK

PURPOSE: To compare short-term clinical results of LASEK and epi-LASIK. METHODS: Fifteen subjects (30 eyes) underwent uncomplicated LASEK on one eye and uncomplicated epi-LASIK on the other eye by a single surgeon, and uncorrected visual acuity, refractive change, postoperative pain, and postoperative satisfaction were compared at postoperative week one, at one month, and at three months. RESULTS: Postoperative uncorrected visual acuities were 0.68+/-0.20, 0.96+/-0.22, and 1.05+/-0.17 for LASEK and 0.75+/-0.21, 0.92+/-0.14, and 1.01+/-0.21 for epi-LASIK at one week, one month, and three months, respectively. Epi-LASIK showed faster improvement in visual acuity at one week, while LASEK showed faster improvement afterward. However, no statistical significance was found. Spherical equivalet of LASEK was -0.66+/-1.28D and that of epi-LASIK was -0.61+/-0.92D at postoperative week one, implying faster refractive recovery for epi-LASIK, but after one month, LASEK was faster in refractive recovery and all these changes were not statistically significant. Durations of postoperative pain were 3.13+/-1.25 days for LASEK and 3.02+/-1.32 days for epi-LASIK. Pain scores (0~10 point scale), however, were also lower for LASEK by 0.33 point, 0.57 point, and 0.45 point for postoperative day 1, 2, and 3, respectively. No statistical significance was noted in either pain duration or pain score. When asked for overall satisfaction, six subjects preferred LASIK, four subjects preferred epi-LASIK, and five subjects showed no preference. CONCLUSIONS: Both LASEK and epi-LASIK are effective for surgical correction of myopia, and no significant difference in visual recovery, refractive change or degree of postoperative pain was noted in this study.

Comparison of Clinical Results Between Laser in Situ Keratomileusis and Laser Epithelial kerAtomileusis for Correction of Myopia over -6.00 Diopters

PURPOSE: To compare results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for the treatment of high myopia. METHODS: In this study, 129 patients with a manifest refraction over -6.00 diopters were assigned two groups for 144 eyes of 72 patient treated with LASIK and 114 eyes of 57 patients treated with LASEK. Uncorrected visual acuity, manifest refraction, corneal haze and other complications were reviewed in LASIK- and LASEK-treated eyes at 6 months after the operation. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, there were significant between-eye differences in uncorrected visual acuity and mean spherical equivalent. And LASEK-treated eyes had more corneal opacity and it makes decreased uncorrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: Both laser refractive surgeries were safe and effective methods to treat eyes with high myopia. But LASIK procedure may prove superior to decrease corneal opacity and visual predictability.