Eleven-year follow-up of laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE To report the long-term (11-year) outcomes (stability and complications) of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with high myopia. SETTING University refractive surgery center. METHODS Seven patients (4 with bilateral treatment and 3 with unilateral treatment) who had myopic LASIK and completed 11 years of follow-up were included in the study. RESULTS The mean age of the 2 men and 5 women was 41.7 years +/- 6.5 (SD) (range 34 to 50 years). The mean follow-up was 140.18 +/- 6.70 months (range 132 to 150 months). At 11 years, the spherical equivalent error was statistically significantly reduced, from a mean of -12.96 +/- 3.17 diopters (D) (range -19.00 to -10.00 D) before LASIK to a mean of -1.14 +/- 1.67 D (range -4.25 to 1.00 D) after (P<.001). Predictability of postoperative refraction 6 months and 11 years after LASIK showed that 6 eyes (55%) were within +/-1.00 D of intended correction. No late postoperative complications occurred. Five patients (8 eyes, 73%) were satisfied with the final outcome. CONCLUSIONS Laser in situ keratomileusis was moderately predictable in the correction of high degrees of myopia. After the sixth postoperative month, refractive and topographic stability were obtained. No long-term sight-threatening complications occurred during the follow-up period.