Influence of blurred vision, accommodation, and target laser settings on eye movements during LASIK

To analyze the influence of blurred vision, accommodation, and target laser settings on eye movements during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Department of Ophthalmology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany.

Prospective randomized study.

Participants had simulated LASIK treatment. They were instructed to focus on the fixation light; the treatment laser was blocked, and all other settings were applied according to standard LASIK treatments. To simulate blurred vision a 0.0 diopter (D) soft contact lens received a 5.0 D myopia laser treatment and was then applied to the participant's eye. To diminish accommodation, a second lens that had a refraction of the patient's spherical equivalent, plus 3.0 D to compensate for accommodation, was used. There were 4 treatment modalities as follows: (1) blurred lens with target laser on, (2) blurred lens with target laser turned off, (3) +3.0 D lens with target laser on, and (4) +3.0 D lens with target laser turned off. Lateral and torsional eye movements were recorded. Fourier analysis was used to obtain temporal power spectra from dynamic eye movements. The Fn criterion was set as the frequency below which n% of eye movements in the cohort occurred (n = 95%, 80%, and 50%).

The study comprised 11 eyes of 11 participants. There was 1 significant difference between the eye movements based on measurement modalities. In 1 variable in the y-axis, there was movement that showed a significant difference in the F80 criterion.

Surgical circumstances such as blurred vision, accommodation, and target light had little influence on eye movements during LASIK.

Proprietary or commercial disclosures are listed after the references.