Laser in situ keratomileusis in patients with diabetes
Accepted 28 March 2005.
Purpose
To study the outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with well-controlled diabetes mellitus.
Setting
Gimbel Eye Centres, Calgary and Edmonton, Canada.
Methods
The charts of all patients with diabetes who had LASIK surgery at the Gimbel Eye Centres were reviewed retrospectively. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), final refraction, and complications were assessed.
Results
Twenty-four patients (16 men and 8 women) were identified. Mean patient age was 42 years (range 24 to 57 years). Seventeen patients had diabetes type II, and 7 had diabetes type I. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was −4.88 ± 2.13 diopters (D) (range +1.625 to −9.00 D). Median follow-up was 6 months (range 4 to 44 months). No eye lost BSCVA. Twenty-nine eyes (63%) achieved UCVA 20/25 or better, and 31 eyes (67%) were within ±0.5 D of the intended refraction after the first LASIK surgery. Retreatment was required in 13 eyes (28.3%) because initial surgery was not adequate to correct the refractive error. At the last follow-up visit, 40 eyes (87%) achieved UCVA of 20/25 or better and 43 eyes (93.5%) were within ±0.5 D of the intended refraction. Three eyes (6.5%) developed an epithelial defect after surgery, and secondary epithelial ingrowth developed in 2 of these eyes. No advancement of diabetic retinopathy was noticed in any eye at the end of the follow-up period.
Conclusions
Laser in situ keratomileusis surgery was safely performed in patients with well-controlled diabetes. Enhancement may often be required for optimal correction.
From the Gimbel Eye Centre (Halkiadakis, Belfair, Gimbel), Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Department of Ophthalmology (Gimbel), Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA
Reprint requests to Howard V. Gimbel, MD, MPH, Gimbel Eye Centre, 450, 4935–40 Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T3A 2N1.
Partially supported by the Lilian Voudouri Foundation, Athens, Greece.
No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
ABSTRACT