The Effect of Reablation on the Undercorrected Eye after LASIK

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the effect of the reablation on the undercorrected eye after the Laser in-situ keratomileusis [LASIK]. The subjects were 21 eyes of 19 patients, who showed undercorrection after the LASIK. Reablation was done on the stromal bed after lifting the original flap aside. Patients were followed up for 1 to 6 months after the reablation. At the time of first LASIK, the mean spherical equivalent[S/E]was -11.29 +/-2.98D preoperatively, -1.90 +/-1.16D at postopera-tive 3 months, the mean amount of correction was -9.60 +/-1.90D. At the time of reablation, the mean[S/E]was -3.26 +/-1.08D, and the mean amount of correction was -3.31 +/-1.11D. Reablation was done only after the refractive error stabilized and did not change over 3 months. One month after the reablation, the mean[S/E]was +0.15 +/-0.98D and 85.7%of the eyes were within +/-1.0D. Six months after the reablation, the mean[S/E]was -0 .1 0 +/-0.66D and 84.6% were within +/-1.0D. The uncorrected visual acuity of 0.6 or more was achieved in 76.2%of eyes at 1 month, and 84.6%at 6 months. The best spectacle-corrected visual acuity [BSCVA]was lost 2 lines or more in 14.3%at 1 month, but none at 6 months after surgery. The BSCVA did not change or gain 1 line or more in 76.2%at 1 month, and 92.3%at 6 months after surgery. There was no problem when lifting the original corneal flap. In conclusion, reablation using the original flaps without new cuts seems to be a redictable, safe method for retreatment.