Predictors of Myopic Regression for Laser-assisted Subepithelial Keratomileusis and Laser-assisted in Situ Keratomileusis Flap Creation with Mechanical Microkeratome and Femtosecond Laser in Low and Moderate Myopia

Purpose: To determine the predictive factors of postoperative myopic regression in subjects who have undergone laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK), laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with flaps created using a mechanical microkeratome (MM) or LASIK with flaps created using a femtosecond (FS) laser for −0.50 D to −6.0 D myopia.Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a retrospective comparison. We included 236 eyes in the LASEK group, 1,178 eyes in the MM-LASIK group and 1,333 eyes in the FS-LASIK group. Refractive outcomes were recorded at one day; one week; and one, three, six and 12 months postoperatively. Predictors affecting myopic regression and other covariates were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model for the three methods of surgery.Results: At 12 months, the survival rates (no myopic regression) were 63.36%, 74% and 77% in the MM-LASIK, LASEK, and FS-LASIK groups, respectively. Risk factors for myopic regression were indicated for patients with greater preoperative central corneal thicknesses (CCT) (P = .02), female patients (P < .01), patients with aspherical ablations (P = .01) and those with larger transitional zones (TZ) (P < .01). Among the three surgeries, MM-LASIK had a significantly higher probability of postoperative myopic regression (P < .01). Longer durations of myopia (P = .03), steeper corneal curvatures (Kmax) (P < .01) and larger optical zones (OZ) (P < .01) were protective factors.Conclusion: MM-LASIK had the highest risk for myopic regression. OZ, TZ, aspherical ablations, preoperative corneal curvatures and being a female patient had significant influence on myopic regression in −0.50 D to −6.0 D myopia.