Assessment of applanation tonometry after hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis

To determine the reliability and identify pitfalls in intraocular pressure measurement by Goldmann applanation tonometry after hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Prospective non-masked case series at University of Valencia, Faculty of Medicine and Rahhal Ophthalmology Clinic, Valencia, Spain. One hundred three patients (103 eyes) treated with hyperopic LASIK were evaluated. The main treatment was hyperopic LASIK using a microkeratome Chiron Hansatome (Chiron Vision Corp, Claremont, CA) and the excimer laser Chiron Technolas 217-C LASIK (Chiron Technolas GmbH, Dornack; Germany). Central Goldmann applanation tonometric readings before surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery were analyzed.

After hyperopic LASIK, a significant decrease in intraocular pressure was observed in the postoperative controls. In the low hyperopia patients (range: 1.00-3.00 D) a decrease of 2.43 mmHg was observed at the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.001). In the moderate hyperopia group (range: 3.25-6.00 D) a decrease of 2.05 mmHg was observed at the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between low and moderate hyperopia (p = 0.812). There was no statistically significant correlation between the magnitude of decrease in tonometry and gender, age, treated spherical equivalent, pachymetry, and anterior chamber depth (ACD).

This clinical study displays that postoperative tonometry after hyperopic LASIK was significantly lower than the preoperative, hence modifying the reliability of Goldmann tonometry, and causing an intraocular pressure underestimation. A correcting factor should be applied when using applanation tonometry to measure postoperative intraocular pressure in patients who have undergone hyperopic LASIK.