Effect of timolol maleate (0.5%) in the management of myopic regression post laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis: Clinical and topographical outcomes

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of timolol maleate (0.5%) eye drops in the treatment of myopic regression after laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: The study was conducted at a tertiary care eye hospital in north India between April 2017 & March 2018 as a prospective interventional study. Patients who underwent uneventful myopic LASIK with hansatome mechanical keratome and presented with regression were included in the study. Baseline demographic characteristics, time to presentation with regression best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, intraocular pressure, central corneal thickness and keratometry were recorded at baseline and at each follow-up visit. The enrolled patients were prescribed timolol maleate (0.5%) eyedrops twice daily. They were followed up every month till 3 months on timolol maleate (0.5%) eyedrops and at 6 months post stopping the treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eyes of 15 patients were enrolled in the study. Mean pre LASIK spherical equivalent (SE) was – 7.48 ± 2.9 Diopters (Range-3.125 to –11.75 Diopters) and mean regression spherical equivalent was –1.02 ± 1.1 Diopters. There was a decrease in mean SE from presentation (intervention start point) up to 6 months follow-up (–1.34 ± 0.89 to –0.30 ± 0.29 Diopters). While posterior corneal curvature (K1 and K2 Back) changed significantly over treatment period (P = 0.0029, P = 0.0024 respectively), changes in anterior corneal curvature (K1 and K2 Front) were not significant (P = 0.05, P = 0.06 respectively). Central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) did not change significantly over treatment course. CONCLUSION: Timolol maleate (0.5%) eyedrop is an effective modality for the treatment of refractive regression post LASIK circumventing the need for laser re-treatment in such patients. The most probable mechanism is reversal of the anterior bowing of the cornea in response to intraocular pressure changes.