Analysis on the Correlation Between Long-term Refractive Regression and Visual Quality after FS-LASIK

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• Corneal Surgery

Background:

• Femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) is a common refractive surgery.
• Long-term visual outcomes and factors influencing them are crucial for patient satisfaction.
• Refractive regression after FS-LASIK can impact visual quality over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term visual quality following FS-LASIK.
• To analyze the impact of refractive regression on visual quality after corneal laser surgery.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 78 patients (153 eyes) who underwent FS-LASIK over 5 years prior were analyzed.
• Data included age at surgery, postoperative period, refractive diopters, and aberrometry measurements (Pentacam, OPD Scan III).
• Patients were grouped into emmetropia (SE≤ -0.5 D) and regression (SE > -0.5 D) groups.

Main Results:

• The emmetropia group showed significantly lower postoperative periods, diopters, and certain aberrations (CTRmsTotal, RmsTotal, Coma-CT) compared to the regression group.
• Higher uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), modulation transfer function (MTF), and point spread function (PSF) values were observed in the emmetropia group.
• Postoperative diopter correlated significantly with age at surgery, postoperative period, and specific aberrometry parameters.

Conclusions:

• Younger patients with thinner corneas are more prone to refractive regression after FS-LASIK.
• Refractive regression can potentially worsen with an extended postoperative period.
• No significant correlation was found between postoperative refractive regression and higher-order aberrations.