ABSTRACT
A. INTRODUCTION Both laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS) are effective surgical techniques for the treatment of myopia (1-6). LASIK corrects low to moderately high levels of myopia [10 diopters (D)] and myopic astigmatism (up to 5 D). In contrast, ICRS are designed to treat only low levels of nearsightedness (up to 3 D) without clinically significant astigmatism. The procedure’s effect results from two arc-shaped, intralamellar polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacers that shorten the central corneal arc length. In this chapter we present data comparing LASIK to ICRS for low myopia and we explore the potential benefit of both as either simultaneous or sequential procedures in high myopia. Advantages of combined LASIK and ICRS surgery include an expanded range of myopic correction and the potential to adjust refractions months to years postoperatively.
