Influence of laser in situ keratomileusis and laser epithelial keratectomy on patients' reading performance

To evaluate the influence of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) on reading performance regarding reading acuity, reading speed based on print size, maximum reading speed, and critical print size.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, and Auge-und-Laser, Medicent Baden, Austria.

Fifty-two eyes of 34 patients (26 eyes per group) were studied. Best corrected LogMAR visual acuity (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study charts), reading acuity, and reading speed were tested monocularly before LASIK or LASEK and 3 weeks after surgery. Reading acuity (LogRAD) and reading speed were determined with the standardized Radner reading charts.

Preoperatively, the distance visual acuity and reading acuity were comparable between the LASIK and LASEK patients. Reading speed measurements also showed no statistical difference. Three weeks after refractive surgery, no statistically significant differences in the preoperative measures and between the 2 surgical procedures could be found in any tested parameters. The mean distance visual acuity was LogMAR -0.02 +/- 0.06 (SD) (LASIK) and LogMAR -0.05 +/- 0.07 (LASEK). The mean reading acuity was LogRAD 0.00 +/- 0.12 (97.7% of LogMAR) (LASIK) and LogRAD 0.04 +/- 0.16 (93.7% of LogMAR) (LASEK). The mean maximum reading speed was 235 +/- 35 words per minute (LASIK) and 240 +/- 37 words per minute (LASEK), and the mean critical print size was at LogRAD 0.48 +/- 0.19 (LASIK) and 0.49 +/- 0.17 (LASEK).

In a standardized reading test setting, no significant effects of LASIK and LASEK on individual reading performance could be evaluated. This indicates that patients can expect to retain their normal visual function after refractive surgery with these 2 procedures under full light conditions.