The Outcome of the First 1000 Cases of LASIK Performed at the King Hussein Medical Center

Aims: The current study evaluates the refractive and visual outcome of patients who had laser in situkeratomileusis (LASIK) performed at the Refractive Center at the King Hussein Medical Centre inJordan. Methods: This is a descriptive study of 500 patients (1000 eyes) which was conducted to assess thevisual and refractive outcome of patients who underwent laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgerybetween 2006 and 2007. Various levels of myopia encountered were included in the study. The meanpreoperative spherical equivalent was- 4.15 Diopter. The main outcomes measured were safety,predictability, efficacy, and stability. Postoperative complications were also recorded. Simpledescriptive statistical methods (mean, frequency and percentage) were used. Results: At one month postoperatively, 78% of the eyes were within plus or minus 0.5D of the intendedcorrection while 92% were within plus or minus 1.0 D. At one year postoperatively, 85% of the eyeswere within plus or minus 0.5D of intended correction while 96% were within plus or minus 1.0D. Atthree years, 80% were within plus or minus 0.5D of the intended correction whereas 89% were withinplus or minus 1 D. Ninety-four percent of eyes had a vision of 6/12 or better at one month compared to89% at one year. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was unchanged or improved in 73%. No eye lost morethan one line of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Overall, there was regression towards myopiawith a mean change in refraction of - 0.5 D over the first year. Severely myopic patients regressed more with a mean change of -1.00D. However, there was a verygood patient satisfaction with this surgery. Conclusion: The predictability of LASIK surgery in terms of refractive and visual outcome results isvery good with mild regression in refraction over time.