Is the axial length a risk factor for post-LASIK myopic regression?

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• Biometry

Background:

• Myopic regression after LASIK is a concern for refractive surgeons.
• Axial length is a key biometric parameter in myopia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between pre-operative axial length and the incidence of myopic regression following LASIK.
• To identify risk factors for refractive error changes after laser vision correction.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series analysis of 1219 myopic patients (2316 eyes) who underwent LASIK.
• Data collected from January 2016 to January 2018 at a private eye center.
• One-year follow-up data analyzed for myopic regression and pre-operative biometric measurements.

Main Results:

• The cumulative incidence of myopic regression was 25.12% over two years (12.6% per year).
• Patients with myopic regression had a significantly greater mean axial length (26.6 ± 0.44 mm) compared to those with stable refraction (24.38 ± 0.73 mm).
• Pre-operative high myopia was more prevalent in eyes that experienced regression.

Conclusions:

• Pre-operative axial length is a significant predictor of myopic regression after LASIK.
• Patients with longer axial lengths are at higher risk for needing further refractive correction post-LASIK.
• Consideration of axial length in pre-operative assessment may help manage patient expectations and outcomes.