Purpose: To investigate the macular changes induced by laser in situ keratomileusisc (LASIK) procedure.
Methods: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) was used to examine 27 eyes of 15 LASIK patients before surgery, and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month after surgery.
Results: The mean thickiness of neuroepithelial layer of macula was (195 +/- 24) microns, (178 +/- 16) microns 1 day and 1 month after surgery, respectively, while the baseline was (174 +/- 12) microns. The increase in macular neuroepithelial thickness was correlated with the degree of myopia, but not with the duration of suction or the postoperative BCVA.
Conclusion: Mild macular edema is common in the first month following LASIK, especially in high myopia. However, no association with loss of BCVA has been established.