Quality of vision after laser in situ keratomileusis: influence of dioptric correction and pupil size on visual function.

Purpose: To determine the influence of pupil size and the amount of ablation on visual performance and on the patient's perception of glare or halo after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Methods: This study included a random cross-section of 50 eyes of 32 patients with "uniform" topography at least 6 months after LASIK and 51 eyes of 28 patients who had normal corneas. Each LASIK patient completed a survey rating adverse effects such as symptoms of night glare and halo. Pupil diameter and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) were measured under photopic and scotopic conditions. Contrast sensitivity was measured with an MCT 8000 (Vistech Consultants, Inc.) under daytime and nighttime and with night glare conditions. A Technomed C-scan (Technomed Technology) was performed, and the potential corneal visual acuity (PCVA) was calculated after the settings for the pupil size were changed to the values measured under bright-light or dim-light conditions.

Results: No significant difference was found between the post-LASIK and normal cornea groups in photopic or scotopic BSCVA (P>.05). In cases of moderate myopia, the post-LASIK group had decreased PCVA and contrast sensitivity (P<.05). In cases of high myopia, the post-LASIK group had decreased contrast sensitivity at spatial frequencies of 1.5 cycles per degree (cpd) under daytime conditions and 3 cpd under nighttime conditions (P<.05). Glare or halo symptoms did not correlate with scotopic BSCVA, PCVA, or nighttime contrast sensitivity with or without glare (P>.05). Pupil size was not significantly correlated with glare or halo symptoms, BSCVA, or contrast sensitivity under scotopic or photopic conditions (P>.05). In moderate myopia, the amount of attempted correction of the spherical equivalent (SE) was correlated with halo symptoms (P<.05; adjusted r(2) = 0.17). In high myopia, the amount of attempted astigmatism correction was correlated with the development of glare symptoms (P<.05; adjusted r(2) = 0.16).

Conclusions: There was a decrease in contrast sensitivity in post-LASIK eyes. The amount of attempted correction of the SE or astigmatism was correlated with the development of glare and halo symptoms. Pupil size was not significantly correlated with glare or halo symptoms, BSCVA, or contrast sensitivity in post-LASIK patients with "uniform" topography who had scotopic pupils not larger than 7.0 mm.