A sample predictive model for intraocular pressure following laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia and an "intraocular pressure constant".

PURPOSE: To describe a sample predictive model for intraocular pressure (IOP) following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia and an IOP constant.

METHODS: The records of patients that underwent LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism via WaveLight Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400 Hz excimer laser and Hansatome XP microkeratome were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with no systemic or ocular disease other than myopia or myopic astigmatism were included in the study. Preoperative and postoperative month 1 data and intraoperative data were used to build the predictive model for IOP after LASIK. The IOP constant was calculated by subtracting the predicted IOP from preoperative IOP. The paired samples t test, Pearson's correlation analysis, curve estimation analysis, and linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the study data.

RESULTS: The study included 425 eyes in 214 patients with a mean age of 32 ± 7.8 years. Mean spherical equivalent of the attempted correction (SE-ac) was -3.7 ± 1.7 diopters. Mean post-LASIK decrease in IOP was 4.6 ± 2.3 mmHg. The difference between preoperative and postoperative IOP was statistically significant (P < 0.001). SE-ac, preoperative IOP, and central corneal thickness had highly significant effects on postoperative IOP, based on linear regression analysis (P < 0.001 and R 2  = 0.043, P < 0.001 and R 2  = 0.370, and P < 0.001 and R 2  = 0.132, respectively). Regression model was created (F = 127.733, P < 0.001), and the adjusted R 2 value was 0.548.

CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of IOP after LASIK is important in myopic patients. The present study described a practical formula for predicting the true IOP with the aid of an IOP constant value in myopic eyes following LASIK.