Comparison Between LASEK With Mitomycin C and LASIK for the Correction of Myopia of –7.00 to –13.75 D

RESULTS: A total of 228 consecutive eyes were included in the study (114 in each group, matched for preoperative refraction). The mean preoperative spherical equivalent manifest refraction was 8.72 1.20 D in the LASEK group and 8.74 1.20 D in the LASIK group (range: 7.00 to 13.75 D) (P=.9). Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was signifi cantly lower in LASEK eyes 1, 7, and 30 days postoperatively (P=.0001 for each comparison). No signifi cant differences were found at 3 months postoperatively in UCVA (P=.3), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) (P=.2), or in the safety (P=.6) and effi cacy (P=.8) indices. Uncorrected visual acuity was 1.0 or better in 34.2% of LASEK eyes and 44.7% of LASIK eyes. Spherical refraction was 0.25 0.6 D after LASEK and 0.06 0.5 D after LASIK (P=.0001). Sixty-eight percent of LASEK eyes and 79% of LASIK eyes were within 0.50 D of intended refraction. No LASEK eye versus 7 LASIK eyes lost 2 lines of BSCVA. Eight LASEK eyes gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA versus 1 LASIK eye.