Objectives:

To compare LASIK and LASEK for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism in terms of contrast sensitivity.

Ma­te­ri­als and Met­hods:

Sixty eyes of 30 patients who underwent LASIK and 60 eyes of 30 patients who underwent LASEK for myopia and myopic astigmatism at the Excimer Laser Center of Dokuz Eylül University, Faculty of Medicine, were included in this study. Mean best-corrected contrast sensitivity values were noted before surgery. Mean uncorrected contrast sensitivity values were evaluated 1 month and 6 months after surgery as well as at the last exam. Complications were noted. The results of LASIK and LASEK groups were compared.

Re­sults:

The two groups were similar in terms of age and gender. No significant difference was noted between the mean preoperative best-corrected contrast sensitivity values of the two groups. Mean uncorrected contrast sensitivity values were not significantly different at the first and sixth months. Mean last exam time was 13.4 (9-36) months. Also at the last exam, mean uncorrected contrast sensitivity values were not significantly different. Mean uncorrected contrast sensitivity values at the last exam were higher than the preoperative mean best-corrected contrast sensitivity values in both LASIK and LASEK groups.

Conclusion:

Both LASIK and LASEK for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism seem to be safe procedures in terms of contrast sensitivity when performed to appropriate patients. Neither technique demonstrated significantly different contrast sensitivity results in this study.

Keywords: Astigmatism, contrast sensitivity, LASEK, LASIK, myopia