Intraoperative Perception and Sensation in Laser in Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
Sabong Srivannaboon MD*,**, Ekktet Chansue MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, ** TRSC International LASIK Center
Purpose : To investigate intraoperative perception and sensation during Laser in situ Keratomileusis (LASIK).
Patients and Method : Sixty patients with uneventful LASIK were included. All procedures were performed by
one surgeon with one technique. Any patient with intra-operative complications was excluded. The patients
were asked to fill in the subjective evaluation form regarding their perception and sensation during the
operation.
Results : Twenty-nine patients (48%) reported no pain and twenty-six patients (43%) reported no burning
sensation during the surgery. Nineteen patients (32 %) reported no light perception during the suction
period of microkeratome. There was no correlation between duration of the suction and no light perception
(R2 0.01). Thirty-four patients (56%) reported no trouble in maintaining visual fixation at the red light
during the laser treatment. Ten patients (16%) reported they could clearly see the movement during the
surgery and 5 out of 10 patients (50% of 16%) reported visual frightening. Fifty cases (84%) reported no
visual frightening during the surgery after reassurance of the visual experience by the surgeon before the
surgery.
Conclusions : Patients undergoing LASIK may experience different visual perceptions. Reassurance of the
intraoperative perception and sensation before the surgery can reduce the visual frightening.
Keywords :
