The Effect of LASIK Procedure on Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in Myopic Eyes

Abstract EN

Purpose.

To evaluate the effect of applied suction during microkeratome-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedure on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness as well as macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness.

Methods.

89 patients (124 eyes) with established myopia range from −3.0 to −8.0 diopters and no associated ocular diseases were included in this study.

RNFL and GC-IPL thickness measurements were performed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) one day before LASIK and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively.

Results.

Mean RNFL thickness prior to LASIK was 93.86±12.17 μm while the first month and the sixth month postoperatively were 94.01±12.04 μm and 94.46±12.27 μm, respectively.

Comparing results, there is no significant difference between baseline, one month, and six months postoperatively for mean RNFL (p>0.05).

Mean GC-IPL thickness was 81.70±7.47 μm preoperatively with no significant difference during the follow-up period (82.03±7.69 μm versus 81.84±7.64 μm; p>0.05).

Conclusion.

RNFL and GC-IPL complex thickness remained unaffected following LASIK intervention.