Patient-Reported Outcomes and Higher Order Aberrations Following Topography-Guided Femtosecond Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis

Purpose: To examine patient-reported outcomes and higher order aberrations following topography-guided laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Methods: This was a prospective, nonrandomized observational study at a single academic center. Sixty eyes from 30 patients underwent bilateral topography-guided femtosecond LASIK for correction of myopia using the VisuMax 500 femtosecond laser (Zeiss; Oberkochen, Germany) and Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400 Hz Excimer Laser (Alcon/Wavelight; Erlangen, Germany) with the Contoura topography system (Alcon; Geneva, Switzerland) for topography-modified refraction. The main outcomes of this study were higher order aberrations (HOAs) and results from the Patient-Reported Outcomes with LASIK questionnaire.

Results: There was a small, significant increase in HOA root mean square, spherical aberration, and coma at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months following topography-guided LASIK (all P < 0.05), but no change in trefoil. In addition, self-reported worry related to vision ( P < 0.001) and ability to perform activities ( P < 0.001) significantly improved after surgery. The prevalence of double images, glare, halos, or starbursts decreased from 73% preoperatively to 56%, and no participants reported "very" or "extremely" bothersome visual symptoms after 12 months. Dry eye symptoms per Ocular Surface Disease Index score decreased significantly at 6 ( P = 0.01) and 12 ( P = 0.002) months after surgery. There was a 100% satisfaction rate with visual outcomes and duration of time to improvement in vision following the procedure.

Conclusions: Although there was an increase in HOAs following topography-guided LASIK, there were significant improvements in the presence of double images, glare, halos, and starbursts and vision-related quality-of-life metrics. Overall satisfaction rates in this study were high.