Influence of patient age on high myopic correction in corneal laser refractive surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of patient age on the postoperative outcomes in eyes with myopia higher than 5.00 diopters (D) that had laser in situ keratomileusis using the Schwind Amaris laser system. SETTING: Private practice, Utrecht, The Netherlands. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: At the 1-year follow-up, right eyes with preoperative myopia higher than 5.00 D were analyzed. The effect of the patient's age on postoperative status was assessed using univariate linear and multilinear correlations. RESULTS: The study analyzed 612 eyes. Univariate linear analyses showed that residual refraction was correlated with patient age. Univariate multilinear analyses showed that spherical equivalent (SE) was correlated with the attempted SE and patient age, whereas cylinder was correlated with attempted cylinder only. Analyses suggested overcorrections and higher residual astigmatism values for older patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patient age affected postoperative outcomes in a subtle, yet significant manner. An age-dependent adjustment toward greater attempted correction in younger patients and less intended correction in older patients may help optimize refractive outcomes.