In a recent study, Sloan Rush and colleagues patient-reported dry eye symptoms show a notable improvement six months after the femtosecond LASIK (FS-LASIK) for myopia, despite the lack of significant changes in objective dry eye measurements. The findings of the study were published in Clinical Ophthalmology.
To assess the impact of FS-LASIK on dry eye symptoms, the researchers enrolled 40 patients who underwent bilateral myopic FS-LASIK. The patients were asked to complete a standardized Dry Eye Symptom Index survey both before the treatment and at the six-month mark post-surgery. This survey utilized an analog scoring system ranging from 1 to 5, with 5 representing the most severe symptoms. Additionally, objective measurements such as the objective scatter index (OSI), tear film osmolarity (TFO), and automated tear break-up times (TBUT) were recorded for each patient.
The results of the study demonstrated a significant improvement in patient-reported dry eye symptoms. Prior to FS-LASIK, the Dry Eye Symptom Index score averaged 2.3 (with 95% Confidence Intervals between 2.0 and 2.6). However, at the six-month follow-up, this score had notably decreased to 1.3 (with 95% Confidence Intervals between 1.0 and 1.5), signifying a substantial amelioration in dry eye symptoms. The statistical analysis confirmed that this improvement was highly significant (p < 0.0001).
Further investigation through subset analysis revealed that specific symptoms related to dry eye also experienced improvement. Patients reported significant enhancement in "grittiness" (p = 0.001) after the procedure. However, no significant changes were noted in the symptoms of "light sensitivity" or "soreness" (p = 0.13 and p = 0.24, respectively).
Surprisingly, despite the remarkable improvement in patient-reported outcomes, objective measurements related to dry eye did not exhibit significant changes at the six-month mark (p > 0.05 for all). The OSI, TFO, and TBUT remained relatively stable throughout the study period.
Fortunately, the research team reported no adverse events or complications associated with FS-LASIK during the entire study period. This reinforces the safety and viability of the procedure as a treatment for myopia.
Source:
Rush, S., Pickett, C. J., & Rush, R. B. (2023). Patient-Reported Dry Eye Outcomes After Myopic Femtosecond-LASIK: A 6-Month Prospective Analysis. In Clinical Ophthalmology: Vol. Volume 17 (pp. 2141–2147). Informa UK Limited. https://doi.org/10.2147/opth.s421369