Ocular Wavefront Aberrations in Patients After Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis

PURPOSE:To study ocular wavefront aberrations after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients who developed diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). METHODS:A case-control evaluation of 47 patients with DLK and 30 uneventful LASIK-operated controls. Measurements of visual acuities, cycloplegic refraction, eyeʼs wave aberrations using a LADARWAVE aberrometer (up to eighth order), and corneal topography were obtained after LASIK treatment. All of the surgeries were performed using the Hansatome or the Moria microkeratome and the LadarVision excimer laser system. RESULTS:Mean follow-up interval from the day of the operative procedure to the examination day was 6.26 (DLK group; range, 2-13 months) and 6.23 months (control group; range, 3-9 months). Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was −3.7 D in patients with DLK and −3.7 D in controls. High-order aberration S7+7 (P = 0.015) was statistically different in the DLK group from that in controls. High-order aberrations S3+3 (P = 0.091) and S8+4 (χ = 8.014, P = 0.046) showed a tendency to be different from controls. Loss of best-corrected visual acuity was greater in patients with DLK. CONCLUSIONS:The occurrence of DLK after LASIK surgery may not significantly affect the visual outcome.