Print

AJO, Vol 129, Issue 5 (May 2000) Pages 668-671

D. Matthew Bushley aA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Vernon C. Parmley a and Patrick Paglen bet al.

 

 

PURPOSE: To report a case of visual field defect associated with laser in situ keratomileusis.

 

METHODS: Case report. A 28-year-old woman with high myopia (-10D) and a family history of normal tension glaucoma underwent bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis keratorefractive surgery. Preoperatively, both eyes had normal intraocular pressure and visual field.

 

RESULTS: At the first postoperative visit 1 day after apparently uncomplicated laser in situ keratomileusis, the patient reported a scotoma in the right eye. At 3-month follow-up, visual fields revealed the patient had developed a near-superior altitudinal visual field defect in the right eye. The defect did not progress over 1 year of follow-up examinations.

 

CONCLUSION: Increased intraocular pressure associated with the microkeratome vacuum ring used during laser in situ keratomileusis may have precipitated optic nerve head ischemia and visual field defect.