To compare the long-term prognosis of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and surface ablation in moderate to high myopia.

A retrospective study including 87 eyes of 44 myopic patients treated with LASIK or surface ablation from 1995 to 2005 was performed. Follow-up visits were performed at 3 months, 1 year, 5 years, and 8 years. All treated eyes were divided into 2 groups according to preoperative spherical equivalent (SE)- moderate myopia (<-6.0 diopters [D]) and high myopia (≥-6.0 D). The main outcome measures were postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity, SE, mean keratometry, safety index, efficacy index, predictability, and complications.

Mean SE was -7.05 ± 2.49 D in the LASIK group and -5.25 ± 1.23 D in the surface ablation group. The 10-year SE was -1.78 ± 1.22 D in the LASIK group and -1.35 ± 1.09 D in the surface ablation group, and there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups. At 10 years postoperatively, UCVA was log MAR 0.155 ± 0.161 in the LASIK group and log MAR 0.095 ± 0.140 in the surface ablation group. There were no significant differences in postoperative mean SE, safety index, efficacy index, or complications between the LASIK and surface ablation group at 10 years.

This 10-year follow-up study shows that LASIK and surface ablation for moderate to high myopia have no statistical differences in mean SE, safety index, efficacy index, or complications.