The Effect of LASIK Procedure on Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in Myopic Eyes

Purpose. To evaluate the effect of applied suction during microkeratome-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedure on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness as well as macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness. Methods. 89 patients (124 eyes) with established myopia range from −3.0 to −8.0 diopters and no associated ocular diseases were included in this study. RNFL and GC-IPL thickness measurements were performed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) one day before LASIK and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Results. Mean RNFL thickness prior to LASIK was  μm while the first month and the sixth month postoperatively were  μm and  μm, respectively. Comparing results, there is no significant difference between baseline, one month, and six months postoperatively for mean RNFL (). Mean GC-IPL thickness was  μm preoperatively with no significant difference during the follow-up period ( μm versus  μm; ). Conclusion. RNFL and GC-IPL complex thickness remained unaffected following LASIK intervention.