Laser in situ keratomileusis to correct hyperopia from +4.25 to +8.00 diopters.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and predictability of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for hyperopia in a prospective study of 54 eyes of 29 patients. METHODS: Before LASIK, 44 eyes (81.48%) had a spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better, and 54 eyes (100%) had 20/40 or better. Surgery was performed under topical anesthesia using the Keracor 116 excimer laser and Chiron automated corneal shaper. Mean follow-up was 19 months. RESULTS: Mean baseline uncorrected hyperopia was +6.50 +/- 1.33 D (range, +4.25 to +8.00 D). Mean uncorrected manifest spherical equivalent refraction was +0.44 +/- 1.95 D at 18 months after LASIK. Twenty-one eyes (38.8%) were within +/-0.50 D of emmetropia, 41 eyes (75.92%) were within +/-1.00 D, and 47 eyes (87.03%) were within +/-2.00 at 18 months after LASIK. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 or better in eight eyes (14.81%) and 20/40 or better in 36 eyes (66.66%) 18 months after LASIK. Regression and undercorrection of more than 2.00 D occurred in seven eyes (12.9%) between the 3 and 6 month examinations; three of these seven eyes (42.8%) required retreatment to correct residual hyperopia. Three eyes (6.8%) lost two or more lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Excimer laser keratomileusis in situ with the Keracor 116 appears to be an effective and safe procedure to decrease low and moderate hyperopia, but the predictability of the procedure needs improvement.