Causes of the Lower Uncorrected Visual Acuity than 20/40 after LASIK.

Heo, Jae Yong; Kim, Man Soo

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2001;42(11):1549-1554.
Published online November 1, 2001.

Causes of the Lower Uncorrected Visual Acuity than 20/40 after LASIK.

Jae Yong Heo, Man Soo Kim

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.

LASIK 후 나안 시력이 20/40 이하인 원인

허재용(Jae Yong Heo),김만수(Man Soo Kim)

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the causes of low uncorrected visual acuity below 20/40 after LASIK (laser in situ keratomileusis). METHODS: 289 eyes (more -6.0 D myopia) that had LASIK between July 1997 and December 1999 by one surgeon were observed for at least 6 months. We evaluated their uncorrected visual acuity and ocular state. RESULTS: 51 eyes (17.64%) of 289 eyes have lower uncorrected visual acuity than 20/40 after LASIK. The causes were myopic regression (22/51), decentering (10/51), undercorrection of myopia (5/51), corneal ectasia (5/51), undercorrection of astigmatism (4/51), central island (2/51), free flap (1/51), postoperative flap displacement (1/51) and incomplete keratome pass (1/51). CONCLUSION: Although LASIK is a safe and effective procedure, many patients had lower uncorrected visual acuity less than 20/40 after LASIK. We must be able to manage correctable factors among the causes above.

Key Words: LASIK;LASIK complication;UCVA;Myopic regression;Decentering