To evaluate the clinical outcome of retreatment after refractive surgery.

Retrospective analysis of 38 eyes of 24 patients who received retreatment surgery after refractive surgery from August 2008 to May 2013 was performed. Pre-initial surgery characteristics and the reason for retreatment were investigated, and preand post-retreatment uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, safety index, efficacy index, predictability, and postoperative complication were also investigated.

Age at initial refractive surgery and retreatment were 28.50 ± 7.29 years (17-49 years) and 31.21 ± 6.49 years (21-49 years). Reasons for retreatment were myopic regression in 36 eyes (94.7%) and overcorrection in two eyes (5.3%). Methods of retreatment were laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) in 31 eyes (81.6%) and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in seven eyes (18.4%). Safety index values for all were above 1.0 and efficacy index values were 0.92, 0.93, and 0.95 in postoperative examination at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively. No eye showed a decrease in best corrected visual acuity. One eye had transient hyperopia after retreatment, and two eyes had postoperative corneal opacity, but no eye experienced significant alteration in visual prognosis.

Retreatment after refractive surgery was an efficient and safe clinical course in our clinic. No long-term complications were observed, and uncorrected visual acuity and refractive errors significantly improved after retreatment. In particular, LASEK can be considered as a safe and efficient retreatment modality without risk of keratectasia.