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Retinal nerve fiber layer changes after LASIK evaluated with optical coherence tomography
Dmitriy D Dementyev1, Vyacheslav V Kourenkov, Alexander S Rodin
1International Research Eye Clinic New Vision, Moscow, Russia.
Journal of Refractive Surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995)
|October 11, 2005
Summary
Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) does not significantly impact retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in young myopic patients. Further research is needed to assess potential optic nerve damage from intraocular pressure spikes during LASIK.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal imaging
- Refractive surgery
Background:
- Intraocular pressure (IOP) increases during LASIK suction.
- The effect of this IOP increase on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness is not fully understood.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a key tool for measuring RNFL thickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if IOP elevation during LASIK suction affects RNFL thickness.
- To assess RNFL thickness changes using OCT before and after LASIK.
- To determine the safety of LASIK regarding RNFL integrity.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen patients (38 eyes) with myopia underwent LASIK.
- RNFL thickness was measured using OCT (OCT-3 Stratus) preoperatively, 1 week, and 3 months postoperatively.
- Student paired t-test was used to compare RNFL thickness measurements.
Main Results:
- Mean patient age was 27.8 years; mean refractive error was -4.9 D.
- Mean microkeratome suction time was 30 seconds.
- No significant difference was found in RNFL thickness preoperatively and at 1 week or 3 months post-LASIK (P >= .05).
Conclusions:
- LASIK in young myopic individuals does not significantly alter RNFL thickness as measured by OCT.
- Further studies are necessary to evaluate the risks of optic nerve or RNFL damage from IOP fluctuations during LASIK.
- Current findings suggest LASIK is safe for RNFL in this demographic, but long-term effects warrant investigation.