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Straylight measurements in laser in situ keratomileusis and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy for myopia
Ruth Lapid-Gortzak1, Jan Willem van der Linden, Ivanka van der Meulen
1private refractive surgery clinic, Driebergen, The Netherlands. r.lapid@amc.uva.nl
Purpose:
To compare straylight values before and 3 months after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) and to analyze the causes of any change.
Setting:
Private refractive surgery clinic, Driebergen, The Netherlands.
Methods:
Straylight was measured before and after LASIK or LASEK with a C-Quant straylight meter; values were recorded as the straylight parameter log(s). Main outcome measures were the difference between postoperative and preoperative straylight values and factors causing a difference between the values.
Results:
The study evaluated 102 eyes having LASIK and 137 eyes having LASEK. On average, there was significant improvement in straylight values postoperatively in both groups. The mean decrease was -0.016 log(s) in the LASIK group and -0.026 log(s) in the LASEK group. Nonparametric testing (sign test) showed that the improvement in straylight was statistically significant in more than 50% of eyes in both groups. Straylight improved in 62 eyes in the LASIK group (P<.001) and 78 eyes in the LASEK group (P<.02) and deteriorated in 35 eyes and 58 eyes, respectively. There was an increase in straylight in 17 eyes (7.1%). Clinical correlations were found in some eyes that had increased postoperative straylight values.
Conclusion:
On average, straylight values 3 months after LASIK and LASEK were slightly decreased from baseline values.
