Small-Aperture Corneal Inlay Treatment for Post-LASIK Presbyopia: 2-Year Outcomes
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To evaluate the efficacy of implanting a small aperture intracorneal inlay, for the treatment of presbyopia in post-LASIK presbyopes
Methods
5369 post-LASIK patients had an inlay implanted in their non-dominant eye at the Shinagawa LASIK Center. Using a femtosecond laser, a corneal pocket was created below the patient’s previous LASIK flap (Tomita Method). Monocular uncorrected and corrected distance and near visual acuities (UDVA, CDVA, UNVA, CNVA) at preoperative, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after surgery were examined. Also, patient questionnaires such as satisfaction and spectacle independence were evaluated.
Results
Mean UDVA had 1 line decline to 20/20 at 1 week postoperative and the mean UNVA improved 3 lines to J2 at 1 month postoperative (both: p <0.0001); both remained stable throughout the 2-year follow-up period. Mean CDVA and CNVA did not change from preoperative values of 20/16 and J1, respectively, over the 2-year follow-up period (both: p>0.05). Patients reported high satisfaction and reduced dependence on spectacles after inlay implantation.
Conclusion
The 24-month results demonstrate that implantation of a small aperture intracorneal inlay in post-LASIK patients can be an effective treatment option for their presbyopia. After 1 month postoperative both UDVA and UNVA became stable. Patient satisfaction was high and the procedure reduced the patients’ dependence on glasses.