The Effect of LASIK Procedure on Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in Myopic Eyes.

Purpose. To evaluate the effect of applied suction during microkeratome-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedure on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness as well as macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness. Methods. 89 patients (124 eyes) with established myopia range from -3.0 to -8.0 diopters and no associated ocular diseases were included in this study. RNFL and GC-IPL thickness measurements were performed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) one day before LASIK and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Results. Mean RNFL thickness prior to LASIK was 93.86 +/- 12.17 mu m while the first month and the sixth month postoperatively were 94.01 +/- 12.04 mu m and 94.46 +/- 12.27 mu m, respectively. Comparing results, there is no significant difference between baseline, one month, and six months postoperatively for mean RNFL (p > 0.05). Mean GC-IPL thickness was 81.70 +/- 7.47 mu m preoperatively with no significant difference during the follow-up period (82.03 +/- 7.69 mu m versus 81.84 +/- 7.64 mu m; p > 0.05). Conclusion. RNFL and GC-IPL complex thickness remained unaffected following LASIK intervention.