Posterior segment complications after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis

The aim of this article is to review the retinal complications that may occur after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

One study investigated the incidence, characteristics, and surgical management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after LASIK surgery in myopia. The incidence of a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after LASIK in this study was 0.033%. Another group reported a case of acute rhegmatogenous retinal detachment 14 h after LASIK surgery in a highly myopic patient. Two reports described a patient with early choroidal neovascular membrane after LASIK in a young myopic patient that was successfully managed by photodynamic therapy, and a patient with valsalva-like retinopathy following hyperopic LASIK. Another study evaluated the long-term effects of excimer laser treatment for ametropia after surgical treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with scleral buckles. A letter reported a case of a young man with an unusual grey ring around the optic disc and macular edema after LASIK-related corneal penetration and lens dislocation. Two case reports were on bilateral cystoid macular edema after phacoemulsification in post-LASIK eyes, and unilateral optic disc pit maculopathy after LASIK. A letter commented on the systemic contraindications for LASIK.

Serious complications after LASIK are infrequent. A dilated fundus examination is very important before LASIK and in every patient whose visual acuity after LASIK is not as good as expected.