To evaluate the long-term prognosis and complications of laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK).

A retrospective study including 92 eyes of 46 myopic patients treated with LASEK from November 1999 to February 2003 was performed. Follow-up visits were at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 8 years. Treated eyes were divided into 2 groups according to preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) : low and medium myopia (<-6.0 D), and high myopia (>-6.0 D). The main outcome measures were UCVA, BCVA, postoperative SE, efficacy index, safety index, predictability, and postoperative complications.

Preoperative visual acuity was 1.24 ± 0.42 log MAR, and the average of SE was -5.28 ± 1.63 D. Postoperative visual acuity log MAR was significantly improved compared to preoperative visual acuity, and the average of visual acuity was 0.12 ± 0.13 log MAR. The percentage of eyes within ± 1.0 D of emmetropia 8 years after having LASEK was 69.5% in the mild and moderate myopia group, and 63.6% in the high myopia group. There was no significant difference of safety index, efficacy index or complications between the 2 groups at 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, and 8 years. Safety index was maintained over 0.9 and efficacy index was larger than 0.8. There were no other complications during the observation period.

An 8-year follow-up showed LASEK for mild to moderate and high myopia to be a safe and effective procedure.