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¹Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hast. 1. Göz Hastalıkları Kliniği, Ankara, Uzm. Dr.
²Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hast. 3. Göz Hastalıkları Kliniği, Ankara, Asist. Dr.
³Atatürk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hast. 1. Göz Hastalıkları Kliniği, Ankara, Prof. Dr. Purpose: To investigate the frequency of steroid-induced intraocular pressure elevation after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK) for myopia.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 65 eyes of 37 consecutive patients who were treated with LASEK for myopia. All patients underwent slit-lamp biomicroscopy, fundus and optic disc examinations, subjective and cycloplegic refractions, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity, and pachymetry preoperatively and postoperatively at 21 days, and 1 and 3 months. Dexamethasone 1% was used topically for 2 months. Postoperative IOP values were corrected by a correction formula involving corneal ablation and keratometric change. Preoperative IOP, postoperative IOP, and corrected postoperative IOP measurements were analyzed.
Results: The patient cohort comprised 15 men and 22 women. Patients with 5 mmHg or more difference between corrected postoperative IOP and preoperative IOP were regarded as steroid responders. Steroid responsiveness was diagnosed in 27 eyes (27/65, 41.5%). Patients with 22 mmHg or more corrected postoperative IOP were regarded as having steroid-induced ocular hypertension (SIOH). SIOH was diagnosed in 15 eyes (15/65, 23.0%). Mean preoperative IOP was 13.5±2.5 mmHg (min 9 mmHg and max 19 mmHg) and mean postoperative IOP was 15.1±6.9 mmHg (min 8 mmHg, max 40 mmHg). There was no significant difference between mean preoperative IOP and postoperative IOP (p=0.104). Mean corrected postoperative IOP was 19.7±6.9 mmHg and the difference between mean preoperative IOP and corrected postoperative IOP was significant (p=0.001).
Conclusions: Due to the high frequency of steroid-induced intraocular pressure elevation, corrected IOP levels must be closely monitored after LASEK procedures. Keywords : LASEK, steroid-induced ocular hypertension, intraocular pressure