ARTICLES Eleven-year follow-up of laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE:To report the long-term (11-year) outcomes (stability and complications) of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with high myopia. SETTING: University refractive surgery center. METHODS: Seven patients (4 with bilateral treatment and 3 with unilateral treatment) who had myopic LASIK and completed 11 years of follow-up were included in the study. RESULTS: The mean age of the 2 men and 5 women was 41.7 years G 6.5 (SD) (range 34 to 50 years). The mean follow-up was 140.18 G 6.70 months (range 132 to 150 months). At 11 years, the spherical equivalent error was statistically significantly reduced, from a mean of 12.96 G 3.17 diopters (D) (range 19.00 to 10.00 D) before LASIK to a mean of 1.14 G 1.67 D (range 4.25 to 1.00 D) after (P<.001). Predictability of postoperative refraction 6 months and 11 years after LASIK showed that 6 eyes (55%) were within G1.00 D of intended correction. No late postoperative complications occurred. Five patients (8 eyes, 73%) were satisfied with the final outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Laser in situ keratomileusis was moderately predictable in the correction of high degrees of myopia. After the sixth postoperative month, refractive and topographic stability were obtained. No long-term sight-threatening complications occurred during the follow-up period. J Cataract Refract Surg 2007; 33:191–196 Q 2007 ASCRS and ESCRS