The Effect of LASIK Procedure on Peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Macular Ganglion Cell-Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness in Myopic Eyes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of applied suction during microkeratome-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedure on peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness as well as macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness. METHODS: 89 patients (124 eyes) with established myopia range from −3.0 to −8.0 diopters and no associated ocular diseases were included in this study. RNFL and GC-IPL thickness measurements were performed by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT) one day before LASIK and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean RNFL thickness prior to LASIK was 93.86 ± 12.17 μm while the first month and the sixth month postoperatively were 94.01 ± 12.04 μm and 94.46 ± 12.27 μm, respectively. Comparing results, there is no significant difference between baseline, one month, and six months postoperatively for mean RNFL (p > 0.05). Mean GC-IPL thickness was 81.70 ± 7.47 μm preoperatively with no significant difference during the follow-up period (82.03 ± 7.69 μm versus 81.84 ± 7.64 μm; p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: RNFL and GC-IPL complex thickness remained unaffected following LASIK intervention.