Laser in Situ Keratomileusis versus Laser Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy for the Correction of Low to Moderate Myopia and Astigmatism

To compare the visual and refractive outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) versus laser assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) in the treatment of low to moderate myopia and astigmatism A retrospective comparative case series study comprised 2,474 eyes of patients with manifest refraction spherical component lower than -5.00 diopters (D) and cylinder components lower than -3.00 D were assigned to 2 groups: 1,238 eyes were treated with LASIK and 1,236 eyes with LASEK. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), remaining refractive error, and complications were evaluated at 1 week, 2, 6, 12, and 36 months postoperation. Preoperatively the mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) was -3.42 D±1.01 (SD) in LASIK group and -3.36 D±1.01 (SD) in LASEK group, at 2 months it was -0.12 D±0.279 and -0.37 D±0.341, at 36 months postoperation in LASIK group it was -0.06 D±0.25 and in LASEK group it was -0.14±0.28 D, respectively. At 2 and 36 months, UCVA was 20/20 in 91.5% and 77.8% in LASIK group and, 94.7% and 90.9% in LASEK group, respectively. At 2 and 36 months, 95.4% and 78.7% in LASIK, 97.3% and 94.2% in LASEK group respectively were within ±0.5 D of emmetropia. Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) in 5.9% and corneal ectasia in 1.05% of eyes (N=13) in the LASIK group and corneal haze in 10.6% (N=131) eyes in the LASEK group were seen. Both LASIK and LASEK were safe and effectively treated eyes with low to moderate myopia and astigmatism. LASEK provided superior results in visual outcomes.