Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The Goldmann applanation tonometer readings were noted to be markedly reduced after Lasik surgery using a thin flap technique which is widely used nowadays, to correct a wide range of myopia and astigmatism. The Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) is considered one of the important tools for refinement of Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurements. The aim of this study is to evaluate and refine ORA measurements for IOP changes post- M2 90 Moria microkeratome Lasik procedure for Egyptian myopic and astigmatic patients trying to aid in glaucoma diagnosis and management. METHODS: Thirty-five eyes of nineteen Egyptian patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism who had undergone Lasik procedure using M2 90 Moria microkeratome were included in this consecutive case series study. All cases were subjected to full ophthalmological examination including uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity, refraction, slit lamp examination, Scheimpflug imaging and ORA (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Inc., Buffalo, NY, USA). The refractive errors were measured using an auto refractometer and were confirmed by trial. For the ocular response analyzer, the Goldmann-correlated IOP measurement (IOPg) which simulates IOP measured by Goldmann tonometer and the Corneal-Compensated Intraocular Pressure (IOPcc) that takes corneal biomechanical properties into consideration were reported as well as the Corneal Hysteresis (CH) and the Corneal Resistance Factor (CRF). Cases were examined preoperatively and again about one month after Lasik, after stabilization of eye condition. The collected data were tabulated and analysed with the suitable statistical methods. The mean values and standard deviation were calculated for quantitative data. Comparison tests (t-test) and correlation tests (Pearson) were also performed. RESULTS: In our study, involving M2 90 Moria microkeratome Lasik procedure, a highly significant post-Lasik reduction in IOPg (t-test = 8.62 (p<0.01), and a statistically significant reduction in IOPcc (t-test = 3.37 (p<0.05) by ocular response analyzer. The average post-Lasik reduction in IOP in mmHg was 4.84±2.82 for IOPg and 2.23±3.51for IOPcc. A statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) existed between post-Lasik reduction of IOPg and ablation depth as well as preoperative spherical equivalent. A non-significant correlation existed between post-Lasik reduction of IOPcc and both of ablation depth and preoperative spherical equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: Following Lasik procedure using M2 90 Moria microkeratome, the IOPcc values by ORA were closer to the preoperative values than the IOPg values and the reduction of IOPcc values was not affected by ablation depth (i.e. preoperative spherical equivalent). Therefore, it is advisable to use the IOPcc values by ORA when evaluating post-Lasik patients for glaucoma diagnosis and management, but with the addition of the average value for post-Lasik reduction which in the study was 2.23±3.51mmHg.