A CHANGE OF THE LENGTH OF THE ANTERO-POSTERIOR AXIS OF THE EYE IN THE CHILDREN PRESENTING WITH HYPEROPIA FOLLOWING FEMTOSECOND LASER-ASSISTED IN SITU KERATOMILEUSIS: 3 YEAR FOLLOW-UP
Aim. The objective of the present study was the analysis of the changes in the length of the antero-posterior axis of the eye (AL) in the children and adolescents presenting with hyperopia and anisometropia in 3 years after femtolaser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). Material and methods. The study included 33 patients at the age from 5 to 16 years divided into two groups. Group 1 was comprised of the patients having initially the mean spherical refractive equivalent (SE) +3.69 D. Those of group 2 had initial SE +5.88 D. In all the patients, FS-LASIK was carried out at the amblyopic eye in the absence of the positive results of the conventional conservative treatment. Results. During three years after FS-LASIK, AL of the treated patients in the first group increased by 0.41 mm and reached the mean value of 22.41 mm while the spherical refractive equivalent became equal to 0.25 D. During the same period, AL in the contralateral eye increased by 0.92 mm and became equal to 23.47 mm on the average with SE equaling +0.81 D. AL of the patients in the second group increased by 0.29 mm and reached the mean value of 21.59 mm while the spherical refractive equivalent became equal to 0.25 D. During the same period, AL in the contralateral eye increased by 0.97 mm and became equal to 23.32 mm on the average with SE equaling +0.62 D. Conclusion. During three years after hyperopic S-LASIK, the minimal growth of the antero-posterior axis of the eye was documented in the children presenting with hyperopia (+5 D) whereas its length increased by more than 0.29 mm. In the children with hyperopia of less than +5 D, it increased by 0.41 mm. It is concluded that prognosis of the results of femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis leading to the alteration of the refraction in the amblyopic eye with the initially moderate or high-degree hyperopia should be made taking into consideration that AL continues to change in the cource of further growth of the child.