Contrast sensitivity after laser in situ keratomileusis

Purpose: To evaluate the effect on contrast sensitivity function of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia. Setting: Alicante Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Alicante,:Spain; Methods: Fourteen eyes of 10 patients had LASIK to correct myopia ranging from 6.00 to 19.50 diopters (D). Mean preoperative myopia was 10.39 D +/- 3.69 (SD). Contrast sensitivity was tested preoperatively and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively using the CVS-1000E contrast sensitivity unit (VectorVision). Results: Contrast sensitivity decreased 1 month postoperatively;the decrease:was significant only at the low and intermediate spatial frequencies of 3 and 6 cycles per degree (cpd) (P =.034 and .030, respectively); Starting from the first month, there was rapid recovery of contrast sensitivity and at; the third month, no statistically significant decrease at all spatial frequencies; Six months after surgery, there was an increase in contrast sensitivity values:at 3, 12, and 18 cpd, although : the changes were not significant. Conclusion: Although LASIK decreased contrast sensitivity values at low and intermediate spatial frequencies for 1 month after surgery, these values rapidly returned to the preoperative values at 3 months. The improvement at Certain : frequencies at 6 months suggests that LASIK can:improve the quality of vision in eyes with moderate and high myopia.