Regression In Myopic Lasik Patients Over Three Months.

PURPOSE: To determine the amount of regression in myopic LASIK patients over a three month period.
METHODS: This was a retrospective study of charts for 43 patients (85 eyes) who had
myopic LASIK correction. Refractive errors were studied pre-operatively and at one week,
one month, and three monthspost-operatively. Regression was determined for patients at one month and three months.
RESULTS: Mean regression at one month was -0.21D (spherical equivalent), with a
standard deviation of0.37D. At three months, the regression was still-0.21D. The standard deviation was 0.45D. Regression ranged from +0.50D to -1.21D at one month, and +l.OOD to -1.75D at three months. The average pre-operative refractive error was -4.74D, and the standard deviation was 2.40D. Myopia was decreased in all patients. The average post-LASIK refractive errors were -0.19D (s.d. 0.58D) at one week, -0.29D (s.d. 0.61D) at one month, and -0.36D (s.d. 0.58D) at three months. After three months 92.5% of patients had a best corrected visual acuity (BVA) of20/20 or better, and 100% of patients were correctable to 20/30 or better.
CONCLUSION: A small amount of regression occurs in most LASIK patients and appears to stabilize at one month. Longer studies will be helpful in determining a more precise estimate of the amount of regression and the time period before refractive stabilization.