Cross Cylinder Ablation in LASIK for High Astigmatism

To evaluate the visual outcomes of cross-cylinder ablation in Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) for eyes with high astigmatic refractive errors and low spherical component. We prospectively evaluated cross cylinder LASIK in patients with high astigmatic refractive error but low spherical component over a period of 2 years. All procedures were performed with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser. Main outcome measures included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction, and complications. Thirty-four eyes of 22 patients were included. Patients were followed for 21.8± 3.6 months. At the last examination, UCVA of 20/40 or better was observed in 33 eyes (97.1%). BSCVA after LASIK improved significantly in comparison to BSCVA before surgery (p<0.005). The mean preoperative cylinder was-4.73±0.89D (-4.00 to -7.00 D) which was reduced to -0.29±0.47 D (0.00 to -1.50 D) at the last follow up visit (P<0.001). No cases of postoperative astigmatic regression or corneal haze were observed. Cross cylinder LASIK with the Nidek EC-5000 is a successful procedure for correction of high astigmatism. It seems to be clinically safe, effective and predictable.