Effect of laser in situ keratomileusis on optic nerve head topography and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness

Purpose: To determine whether laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) produces significant changes in optic nerve head (ONH) topography and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness as measured by the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT) and to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effect of topical betaxolol on these changes. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. Methods: In this prospective randomized double-masked comparative case series, 34 patients having LASIK for myopia were randomly assigned to receive topical betaxolol 0.5% solution or placebo twice a day for 2 days before the procedure and 7 days after the procedure. Preoperative and postoperative (1 week and 1 and 3 months) images were made with the HRT. Four HRT parameters (rim area, rim volume, mean RNFL thickness, and cup shape measure) were analyzed in a masked fashion. The Student paired t test was used for statistical analysis. Results: No significant changes from baseline occurred in any HRT parameter in either patient group or when the patients were evaluated as a single group. Conclusions: Laser in situ keratomileusis did not adversely affect ONH morphology or RNFL thickness as measured by HRT. Since no neural damage was detected, the potential neuroprotective effect of betaxolol could not be evaluated. (C) 2003 ASCRS and ESCRS.