Functional Outcome and Patient Satisfaction after LASIK for Correction of Myopia: A Clinical Study

Background: Myopia included one of the major threats of vision in the world. It is said to be responsible for more than 70% of the complications of refractile based errors. A new option was introduced in the management of myopia, which is laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Hence, we evaluated the subjective patient satisfaction and visual improvement after LASIK for the correction of myopia. Materials & Methods: The present clinical study included 70 cases in SOMA center in Sulaimani during the period from January 2008 to August 2008. Each case was interviewed individually using a specially designed questionnaire which contained systemic and ocular histories with the result of examination. Detailed ocular examination was carried out on all the cases and for both eyes separately. Both anterior and posterior segments were examined with slit-lamp. The posterior segment examination was done after pupillary dilatation with tropicamide eye drop 0.5% and using fundus lens 90 Diopters. The operation is performed with the patient awake and mobile; the patient typically is given anesthetic eye drops. The examination was done after the LASIK technique immediately, after 1 day, after 1 week and after 1 month. Results: Out of total 70 patients, 36 were males and 34 were females. The mean age of the patients was 29 years. Mean pre-surgical spherical equivalent and post-surgical spherical equivalent were maximum in group of -0.25 to -3.00. 100% satisfaction after 1months follow-up. Conclusion: LASIK technique gives a good result regarding the early visual outcome by achieving the BCVA post-laser.