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Visual field defect associated with laser in situ keratomileusis.
D M Bushley1, V C Parmley, P Paglen
1Department of Ophthalmology, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington 98431, USA. mbushley@aol.com
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|June 14, 2000
Summary
Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery can cause visual field defects. A patient developed a persistent visual field defect after LASIK, potentially due to increased intraocular pressure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Refractive Surgery
- Visual Neuroscience
Background:
- Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a common refractive surgery for myopia.
- High myopia and a history of normal tension glaucoma are risk factors for optic nerve damage.
- Preoperative visual fields and intraocular pressure were normal in this patient.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old woman with high myopia underwent bilateral LASIK.
- Postoperatively, she reported a right eye scotoma.
- A persistent, near-superior altitudinal visual field defect was observed in the right eye.
Findings:
- The visual field defect developed after an apparently uncomplicated LASIK procedure.
- The defect remained stable over a 1-year follow-up period.
- No progression of the visual field defect was noted.
Implications:
- Increased intraocular pressure during LASIK, possibly from the microkeratome vacuum ring, may cause optic nerve head ischemia.
- This case highlights a potential complication of LASIK, leading to visual field defects.
- Ophthalmologists should consider visual field monitoring after LASIK, especially in high-risk patients.