Intraocular Pressure Change after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)

To analyze the relationship between change in intraocular pressure (IOP) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and preoperative central-corneal thickness (CCT), and central-corneal ablation depth (CCAD), a prospective study was conducted of 30 patients (60 eyes) with myopia or myopic astigmatism who underwent LASIK and who were followed up for a mean of 6 months. The parameters evaluated included IOP 1 week preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, pre- and postoperative CCT, and CCAD; in addition, the anterior ocular segment and the fundus were examined, as was the apparent and cycloplegic refraction. There were 11 male patients and 19 female patients (mean age, 28.3 years) involved in the study. Mean IOP readings were 14.9 mmHg 1 week preoperatively, and 8.3 mmHg 3 months postoperatively; thus, the mean decrease in IOP after LASIK was 6.6 mmHg. Mean values for preoperative CCT, postoperative CCT, and CCAD were 537.2+/-34.7 microm, 434.0+/-32.5 microm, and 101.6+/-23.90 microm, respectively. IOP correlated with CCT both pre- and postoperatively. The mean change in IOP after LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism was statistically significant, but did not correlate with CCAD or age. We postulate that CCAD is not a significant predictor of IOP after LASIK.