Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Year
: 2015  |  Volume : 63  |  Issue : 11  |  Page : 874-

A survey of the management of vitreoretinal pathology detected prior to laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis


Anil J Singh 
 Department of Ophthalmology, Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AB, United Kingdom

Correspondence Address:
Anil J Singh
Department of Ophthalmology, Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AB
United Kingdom




How to cite this article:
Singh AJ. A survey of the management of vitreoretinal pathology detected prior to laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.Indian J Ophthalmol 2015;63:874-874


How to cite this URL:
Singh AJ. A survey of the management of vitreoretinal pathology detected prior to laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2015 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];63:874-874
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2015/63/11/874/171980


Full Text

Dear Sir,

The most common indication for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is correction of myopia. [1]

LASIK can induce the development of posterior vitreous detachment, and vitreoretinal (VR) complications have been described after LASIK. [2],[3]

Myopia is itself associated with VR complications. [4]

These are usually referred to VR surgeons for management.

We conducted a national survey of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons (BEAVRS) to determine the preferred practice patterns among VR surgeons for the management of VR pathology in myopes, detected prior to patients undergoing LASIK.

A questionnaire was sent electronically to the membership database of BEAVRS. BEAVRS is a national society of VR surgeons whose members practice in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Forty surgeons responded. All respondents have experienced consultant VR surgeons. Over a period of 1 year, 73% of respondents saw between 1 and 5 patients referred after a consultation for LASIK.

For the patients referred, the respondents reported findings on a total of 106 patients. The average myopia was − 5.75 D (−2.5 D to − 11.75 D).

The following VR pathology was detected in one or both eyes:

Sixty-three percent of eyes had an asymptomatic hole or breakFourteen percent had a symptomatic hole or breakSeventy-nine percent had lattice degenerationSeven percent were referred with a retinal detachment.

The survey did not seek to quantify the extent of retinal detachment, but all detachments were asymptomatic.

Seventy-eight percent of the VR surgeons surveyed would treat VR pathology based on retinal findings only, and not because the patient was about to have LASIK. However, 13% said they would consider the fact that the patient was about to undergo LASIK as a factor in influencing their decision to treat.

Opinion was equally divided whether all patients with pre-LASIK retinal pathology should be referred for VR opinion or whether a referral should be at the discretion of the corneal surgeon.

Thirty-five percent felt all detected retinal pathology before LASIK should have a VR opinion, 33% disagreed and felt that referral should be at the discretion of the corneal surgeon; and the remainder were undecided.

Ninety-three percent of respondents were not aware of any treatment guidelines for treatment of  retinal pathology in patients having LASIK.

The incidence of VR complications after LASIK is very low. Various large studies have not shown an increased incidence of retinal tears or detachment after LASIK, with the reported incidence of VR pathology being 0.05-0.06%. [1],[3]

In addition, there is no clear published data to suggest a cause and effect association for an increased incidence of VR pathology post-LASIK. [1],[3]

Based on the current medical literature, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether retinal lesions in myopes about to have LASIK should be treated differently from standard practice.

The survey results are consistent with this as 78% of respondents would manage in a standard fashion. We are not aware of any specific guidelines for management of pre-LASIK VR pathology.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

References

1Arevalo JF, Lasave AF, Torres F, Suarez E. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment after LASIK for myopia of up to -10 diopters: 10 years of follow-up. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2012;250:963-70.
2Gavrilov JC, Gaujoux T, Sellam M, Laroche L, Borderie V. Occurrence of posterior vitreous detachment after femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis: Ultrasound evaluation. J Cataract Refract Surg 2011;37:1300-4.
3Arevalo JF. Posterior segment complications after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2008;19:177-84.
4Wilkinson CP. Evidence-based analysis of prophylactic treatment of asymptomatic retinal breaks and lattice degeneration. Ophthalmology 2000;107:12-5.