To evaluate the efficacy and safety of surface ablation with mitomycin C (MMC) for the retreatment of refractive errors following laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK).

In this retrospective clinical study conducted at a single center, we evaluated 23 eyes that received surface ablation with MMC (0.02%, 20 seconds) between 2009 and 2013 for the treatment of residual refractive errors following myopic LASIK and LASEK. All eyes were evaluated for corneal thickness, initial refractive error, time interval to retreatment, amount of retreatment, duration of postoperative topical steroids use as well as uncorrected vision, spherical equivalent and corneal haziness preoperatively and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

Initially corrected myopia in the LASIK group was -6.47 ± 2.17 D and -5.68 ± 2.51 D in the LASEK group. Mean time between initial and retreatment by surface ablation was 11.88 ± 5.59 months for LASIK and 14.07 ± 10.10 for LASEK. Retreat amount was 1.49 ± 0.36 D after LASIK and -1.65 ± 0.41 D after LASEK. At postoperative 12 months, uncorrected visions were -0.061 ± 0.886 (log MAR) in the LASIK group and -0.004 ± 0.745 (log MAR) in the LASEK group and spherical equivalents were -0.55 ± 0.56 D in the LASIK group and 0.36 ± 0.33 D in the LASEK group. Postoperative hazes developed in 1 of 8 LASIK eyes and 3 of 15 LASEK eyes which resolved with application of topical steroid for 2-3 months postoperatively.

Surface ablation with 0.02% MMC is safe and highly effective for treating myopic regression following LASIK or LASEK. Application of 0.02% MMC for 20 seconds was effective in preventing postoperative haze formation and maintaining stable vision and spherical equivalent at 12 months after retreatment.