PURPOSE: To compare the visual result in consecutive case series between two different excimer laser equipments in LASIK for myopia and astigmatism. METHODS: We analyzed the results of lasik of 11 eyes of 11 patients with myopia ranging from -0.50 to -11.25 and astigmatism from -0.50 to -4.25 who were submitted to Summit Apex Plus and 11 eyes of 11 patients with myopia ranging from -0.50 to -8.75 and astigmatism from -0.50 to -4.75 submitted to Meditec-Aesculap Mel 70.The follow-up was 1, 3 and 12 months. RESULTS: Preoperatively the mean spherical equivalent was -4.75 for Summit and -4.8 for Mel 70. At 1, 3 and 12 months after surgery, the residual error for the Summit group was 0.54; 0.58 and 0.014 and for the Mel 70 group it was 0.02; 0.04 and -0.43. There were no statistically significant differences between two excimer laser equipments regarding: spherical equivalent (SE), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) pre- and postoperatively. One year after surgery 90.9% presented BCVA =20/20 for Summit and 73% for Mel 70, 81.8% had UCVA =20/20 for Summit and 45.5% for Mel 70. The final mean postoperative SE was 73% within ±1.00 D for Summit and 82% within ±1,00 D for Mel 70. Loss of one or two lines BCVA was 9% for Summit and 27.3% for Mel 70. Complications: 9% cases of diffuse lamellar keratitis and 45.5% of epithelial ingrowth for Mel 70. DISCUSSION: Both Summit Apex Plus and Meditec-Aesculap Mel 70 were found to be similar, safe and efficient for the correction of myopia and astigmatism.
Myopia; Astigmatism; Keratomileusis, laser in situ; Comparative study
