EyeWorld Asia-Pacific March 2020 Issue

REFRACTIVE 36 EWAP MARCH 2020 of a diopter per year,” Dr. Cason said, adding that this could be due to lenticular thickness changes or to shifts of axial length. The fact is that such changes vary among patients. If it is lenticular changes, lifestyle can play a role, Dr. Cason pointed out. A patient presenting with diabetes who spends a lot of time outdoors exposed to UV light and who is a smoker could potentially face advanced lenticular changes faster than someone who has a healthier diet and lifestyle. The fact that half of patients still have 20/20 or better vision not only speaks to the long-term stability of the procedure but also to the healthier regimen in general of the patients included in the study. Dr. Cason discussed the Rosman et al. study further, noting that it found 41% of eyes in the PRK group and 42.5% of eyes in the LASIK group were within 1 D of intended correction 10 years after surgery. “For anyone doing refractive surgery, you can look at this study, the Rosman et al. study, and some other shorter-term studies and feel fairly confident that refractive surgery is safe and effective,” Dr. Cason said. “It improves the quality of life for our patients and is relatively long-lasting, withstanding the normal aging changes that occur as we get older.” In Dr. Cason’s view, the minimal changes that occur over the long term bode well for refractive surgery. “Considering the normal aging changes that still occur as we get older, it’s impressive that the refractive results are so good in the long term,” he concluded. EWAP References 1. Godiwalla RY, et al. Long-term outcomes of refractive surgery performed during the military. Mil Med. 2019. Epub ahead of print. 2. Rosman M, et al. Comparison of LASIK and photorefractive keratectomy for myopia from –10.00 to –18.00 diopters 10 years after surgery. J Refract Surg. 2010;26:168–76. Editors’ note: Dr. Cason is affiliated with the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, and declared no relevant financial interests. 1. People 4. The Eye 2. Places 5.Monochrome 3. Nature 6. Leica Moments You are invited to submit digital photographs in any of the 6 categories: Photo image courtesy of Dr Donald Yeoh Attractive prizes sponsored by 2021 APACRS PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION Open To All Registered Delegates 29 – 31 July 2021 Postponed to Singapore MEETING POSTPONED Stay Tuned for Submission Details pg 36 | Photography Competition | MP.indd 1 26/03/2020 9:33 AM