= Abstract =

Comparison between LASIK and LASEK in Postoperative Results and Subjective Symptoms on Same Patients

Purpose : To compare postoperative results and subjective symptoms between LASIK-treated eye and LASEK-treated eye in same patients.

Methods : We evaluated 76 eyes of 38 patients who were taken LASIK on one eye and LASEK on the other eye. Mean follow-up period was 4±4.05 months (range, 3 to 8 Mo). Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -4.78 ± 2.6 D (range, -2 to -9.25 D) in LASIK-treated eyes and -5.32 ± 2.8 D (range, -2 to -9.5 D) in LASEK-treated eyes. We checked UCVA and residual refractive errors postoperatively. We surveyed questionnaire about postoperative subjective symptom and patients were asked to rate their postoperative comfort on 5-point scale (very discomfort:1, discomfort:2. neither comfort nor discomfort:3, comfort:4, very comfort:5) in each eye.

Results : Mean postoperative spherical equivalent was -0.19 ± 0.41 D in LASIK-treated eyes and -0.06 ± 0.36 D in LASEK-treated eyes. 2 weeks after operation, 100% of patients had UCVA of better than 20/40 in both eyes. 94.8% (36/38) had 20/20 in LASIK group and 92.1% (35/38) had 20/20 in LASEK group. There was no difference in UCVA between LASIK and LASEK after 2 weeks postoperatively. As a results of questionnaire, there's no difference in dry eye symptom. But other symptoms related to visual quality were better in LASEK-treated eyes. The patient's satisfaction from surgery was better in LASEK than LASIK. But 57.1% (20/35) of patients selected LASIK operation for better method. Rapid visual recovery and less pain are the reason of selection.

Conclusion : In point of recovery time LASEK is slower than LASIK but the quality of vision is better in LASEK-treated eyes. LASEK is good substitute for LASIK in cases of thin cornea, narrow eye fissure and so on.