Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

Abstract

Epithelial Ingrowth: Visual Acuity and Astigmatism Results One Year after YAG Laser Treatment

Fuentes-Paez Graciana, Soler Tomas Jr and Burillo S Ddo

Purpose: To assess the response of YAG laser for epithelial ingrowth in LASIK patients undergoing re-treatment with flap re-lift, after one year. Materials and Methods: Prospective case series of LASIK patients with a symptomatic decrease in VA due to epithelial ingrowth (grades II-III), after retreatment with flap relift, with YAG laser (0.6-0.8 mJ) and followed-up during one year. Variables included pre and post YAG laser uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA, decimal scale), spherical equivalent (SE), topography astigmatism (SimK, 3.00 mm, and 5.00 mm zones). Data was registered and analyzed using Microsoft® Excel® 2013 (Microsoft Corporation), reported as mean, standard deviation (SD), and compared using paired t-student (p ≤ 0.05 for significance). Results: Nine patients were followed-up, for one year, 5 men and 4 women with mean age 46.8 ± 11-7 years. Pre/post results were: UCVA 0.75 ± 0.12/0.96 ± 0.09 (p=0.03), astigmatism 0.5 ± 0.68/0.10 ± 0.22D (p=0.03), SE 0.48 ± 0.46/0.25 ± 0.42D (p=0.24), topography astigmatism 2.0 ± 0.85/1.4 ± 0.45D (p=0.02), Km 39.3 ± 2.7/39.4 ± 2.4D (p=0.50). For pseudophakic patients pre/post mean UCVA 0.75 ± 0.24/0.83 ± 0.17 (p=0.22), SE 0.03 ± 0.80D / 0.06 ± 0.13D (p=0.94), astigmatism 0.49D ± 0.59/0.13D ± 0.25D (p=0.94), topographic astigmatism 2.8 ± 1.7D/2.5D ±1.1D (p=0.34). Conclusions: YAG laser treatment for symptomatic epithelial ingrowth, in LASIK patients after retreatment with flap relift, significantly improved UCVA and decreased subjective and topographic astigmatism. Clinical and topographical improvement in pseudophakic patients was not clinically significant.