Abstract: Objective To investigate the long-term efficacy and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia. Design Retrospective case series. Participants 343 eyes of 175 patients with myopia who underwent LASIK to correct their refractive errors in Beijing Xinli Eye Clinic from 2003 to 2007 and received regular postoperative assessments for 5~9 years. The preoperative refraction was (-6.40±2.83) D (-1.50 D~-15.75D). Methods Patients with myopia underwent LASIK and regular postoperative examinations were performed at 3 months, 1 year and 5~9 years after LASIK surgery. The mean follow-up period was 6.54±1.13 years (range 5 to 9 years). Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, corneal curvature, corneal thickness and intraocular pressure (IOP) were checked at every follow-up. Patients filled in a satisfaction survey form at the last follow-up. Main Outcome Measures UCVA, BCVA, refraction, corneal curvature, corneal thickness, IOP, complications, and patient satisfaction. Results There were 336 eyes (97.96%), 326 eyes (95.04%) and 302 eyes (88.05%) with UCVA ≥ 1.0 at 3 months, 1 year and 5~9 years after LASIK surgery respectively; 340 eyes (99.13%), 340 eyes (99.13%) and 333 eyes (97.08%) with UCVA ≥ 0.6 respectively, and 30 eyes (8.75%), 37 eyes (10.79%) and 32 eyes (9.33%) with BCVA improved ≥ 2 lines respectively. The mean postoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -0.14±0.46 D, -0.21±0.46 D, -0.36±0.52 D, respectively. Corneal curvature, corneal thickness and IOP assessed by noncontact tonometry showed mild increasing during the follow-up period. No serious complication was observed. 174 (99.4%) patients answered that they were satisfied or very satisfied with surgery. Conclusion LASIK surgery is an effective and safe procedure for correcting myopia in the long term follow-up. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2015, 24: 108-111)

Key words: refractive error, myopia/surgery, laser in situ keratomileusis