Outcomes of retreatment after laser in situ keratomileusis

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of retreatment after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASlK). Design: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. Participants: A total of 962 eyes of 566 patients underwent LASIK for up to -20.0 diopters (D) of myopia, of which 53 eyes (5.5%) were retreated. Intervention: Retreatments were performed by lifting the original flap and using the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser (Nidek Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Main Outcome Measures: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fogged manifest refraction, and complications were evaluated 6 months after retreatment. Results: Overall, 53 (5.5%) of 962 eyes underwent LASIK retreatment. Before retreatment, the mean spherical equivalent (MSE) was -1.7 ± 1.1 D (range, +0.3 to -5.0 D), UCVA ranged from 20/25 to 20/400, and BCVA ranged from 20/20 to 20/50. Six months after retreatment, the MSE was -0.09 ± 0.29 D, 48 (90.6%) eyes were within ±0.5 D, and all eyes were within ±1.0 D of the attempted correction. The UCVA improved to 20/20 or better in 21 (39.6%) eyes and 20/40 or better in 51 (96.2%) eyes. The BCVA was maintained in 33 eyes (62.3%), 15 eyes (28.3%) gained 1 line or more of vision, whereas 5 eyes (9.4%) lost 1 line. All eyes had a BCVA of 20/50 or better. No retreated eye lost two or more lines of BCVA. No complications were observed. Conclusion: Retreatment for low amounts of residual myopia performed by lifting the original flap within the first year after surgery after myopic LASIK is safe, effective, and predictable.