The refractive effect of myopic LASIK up to -15.0 D remained reasonably stable during the second postoperative year. Significant regression of the refractive effect occurred in eyes with higher levels of myopia (>15.0 D), with the risk of progressive ectasia. Extreme caution is recommended when myopic LASIK is performed in eyes with higher levels of myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of intraoperative complications using the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome during flap creation in LASIK. METHODS: The incidence of intraoperative flap complications during LASIK using the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome was retrospectively studied in 26,600 procedures performed in 5 outpatient excimer laser surgery centers. RESULTS: A total of 65 (0.244%) complications were identified: 23 (0.086%) eyes had free caps, 13 (0.049%) eyes had an incomplete pass, 13 (0.049%) eyes had an epithelial defect, 11 (0.041%) eyes had buttonhole, and 5 (0.019%) eyes had irregular flap. The remaining 26,535 (99.756%) eyes had uneventful flap creation. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the NIDEK MK-2000 microkeratome resulted in a low incidence of intraoperative complications, making it a safe and reliable device for creating flaps during LASIK. [J Refract Surg. 2005;21(Suppl): S655-S657.]

PURPOSE: To summarize initial results of astigmatic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for 41 eyes of 26 patients using the EC-5000 Nidek system and assess its safety, efficacy and predictability. METHODS: The EC-5000 Nidek excimer laser was used to correct simple myopic, mixed, and simple hyperopic astigmatism with manifest cylinder from 2.00 to 6.50 D. Ablation zone diameters were 6.5 mm (steep meridian ablation) to 7.5 mm (flat meridian ablation) with a repetition rate of 40-41 Hz. In eyes with simple myopic and mixed astigmatism, ablation was performed in both meridians; in eyes with simple hyperopic astigmatism, ablation was performed in the flat meridian alone. Followup was 3 months in all eyes. RESULTS: Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 85% of the eyes. Uncorrected visual acuity was equal to the preoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity in 63% of the eyes. Intended cylinder correction was within 1.00 D in 95% of eyes. No eyes lost lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: LASIK using the EC-5000 excimer laser appears to be effective in the treatment of simple myopic, mixed, and simple hyperopic astigmatism, with favorable results as compared to those previously described for astigmatic keratotomy. [J Refract Surg 1998;14:S175-S176]