Comparison of dry-eye disease after the femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome for laser <i>in situ</i> keratomileusis

AIM: To analyze dryeye disease after the femtosecond laser and mechanical microkeratome for laser <i>in situ</i> keratomileusis(LASIK)by Oculus dry eye analyzer examination.<p>METHODS: The people who had femtosecond LASIK(FS-LASIK)and mechanical microkeratome LASIK in Weifang Eye Hospital from January 2014 to April 2014 were observed. Sixty patients(120 eyes)who had corneal refractive surgery were collected. The average age of patients was 27.46±6.65 years old. The LASIK group had 28 patients(56 eyes)and the FS-LASIK group had 32 patients(64 eyes). The tears river altitude, first tear break up time(BUT), and average BUT at preoperative, 1wk and 1mo after operation were observed by Oculus dry eye analyzer.<p>RESULTS: By Oculus dry eye analyzer examination, the preoperative tears river altitude of patients was 0.25±0.10mm. First BUT was 6.70±3.86s. Average BUT time was 10.14±4.51s. At 1wk after operation, the tears river altitude of patients was 0.19±0.04mm. The first BUT time was 4.87±1.71s. The average BUT time was 7.77±2.30s. There was significant difference between preoperative and 1wk after operation(<i>P</i><0.05). At 1mo after operation in two groups, the tears river altitude of patients was 0.19±0.18mm.The average BUT 8.72±2.54s. The BUT was 5.02±2.30s. There was significant difference between preoperative and 1mo after operation(<i>P</i><0.05). The two groups had significant difference in average tears river altitude and average BUT between 1mo and 1wk after operation. There was no significant difference in the first BUT between 1mo and 1wk after operation. There was no significant difference between LASIK and FS-LASIK groups at any time of the test(<i>P</i><0.05).<p>CONCLUSION: LASIK and FS-LASIK patients have different degree of dry eye symptom after operation. Dry eye symptoms mainly display in the decrease of tear production and the stability of tear film. It will be better after giving artificial tears. Oculus dry eye analyzer is a non-invasive examination equipment. It can reflect the amount of tears and the stability of tear film. It is usefull in rapid diagnosis of dry eye and judgment of the degree of dry eye symptom after LASIK operation