Factors predicting slow visual recovery following microkeratome-assisted myopic LASIK

Purpose: To identify factors predicting slow visual recovery following myopic microkeratome assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Design: Retrospective study.

Methods: This study included consecutive patients who underwent microkeratome-assisted myopic LASIK between January 2005 and December 2019 at Care Vision Laser Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. Patients were divided into three groups according to whether they experienced normal recovery of visual acuity (1 week visit), slow visual recovery (1 month visit) or very slow recovery (>1 month). Normal visual recovery was defined as achieving an efficacy index of 0.9 or greater. Efficacy index was calculated as postoperative uncorrected visual acuity/preoperative best corrected visual acuity. A comparison of baseline and intraoperative parameters was performed.

Results: Overall, 10 439 eyes were included. Mean age was 30.8 ± 8.7 years and 47.1% were females. The slower visual recovery groups (slow 11.4%, n = 1191; very slow 8.4%, n = 875) were of older age (p < 0.001), steeper preoperative steep keratometry (p = 0.002) and larger refractive astigmatism (p < 0.001). In binary logistic regression older age (p < 0.001), female gender (p = 0.001), larger astigmatism (p < 0.001) and high myopia (p < 0.001) remained significant predictors of slow visual recovery.

Conclusion: Slow visual recovery was observed in 19.8% of patients following myopic LASIK. Older age, female gender, larger astigmatism and high myopia were associated with slow visual recovery. Patients may be advised accordingly.