Patient-Reported Dry Eye Outcomes After Myopic Femtosecond-LASIK: A 6-Month Prospective Analysis

Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate patient-reported outcomes in relation to dry eye symptoms following femtosecond LASIK (FS-LASIK).

Methods

This study was conducted as a prospective, observational case series of patients undergoing bilateral myopic FS-LASIK at a single private practice institution. Enrolled patients were prospectively administered a standardized Dry Eye Symptom Index survey (analog score of 1 to 5 with 5 being the worst) prior to treatment and at 6-months after FS-LASIK. The following objective measurements were also recorded: objective scatter index (OSI), tear film osmolarity (TFO), and automated tear break-up times (TBUT).

Results

There were 40 enrolled patients who underwent bilateral myopic FS-LASIK and completed the 6-month study period. The Dry Eye Symptom Index score improved from 2.3 (2.0–2.6, 95% Confidence Intervals) prior to treatment to 1.3 (1.0–1.5) at 6 months (p < 0.0001). Subset analysis of the subjective dry eye symptoms showed improvement in “grittiness” (p = 0.001) but not in “light sensitivity” or “soreness” (p = 0.13 and p = 0.24, respectively). There were no significant changes in the OSI, TFO, or TBUT measurements at 6 months (p > 0.05 for all), and there were no adverse events or complications during the study period.

Conclusion

Patient-reported dry eye symptoms improve after 6 months following myopic FS-LASIK. This did not correlate with the objective dry eye measurement changes at 6 months.

Keywords:

• LASIK
• tear film osmolarity
• tear break-up time
• patient-reported outcomes
• dry eye

Abbreviations

FS-LASIK, femtosecond laser in situ keratomileusis; CDVA, best-corrected distance visual acuity; UDVA, uncorrected distance visual acuity; PROWL, patient-reported outcomes with LASIK; OSI, Objective Scatter Index; TFO, tear film osmolarity; TBUT, tear break-up time.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Statement

The study was approved by the Panhandle Eye Group Institutional Review Board (IORG0009239; IRB00011013-13) in accordance with the Ethical Standards laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

SWR and CJP received a grant by Alcon Vision, LLC to perform a prospective trial evaluating vision outcomes using a similar study population. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by a research grant from Alcon Vision, LLC.