PURPOSE: To evaluate outcome and complications in LASIK with reprocessed blades. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients' charts submitted to complete custom LASIK from January 2004 to June 2005. Inclusion criteria comprised surgical description of blade use and minimum follow-up of 1 month. The blade was reprocessed following a clinic protocol, from 1 to 3 times (reprocessed group) and results compared with patients that underwent LASIK with first-use blades (first-use group). RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-one eyes of 135 patients were analyzed (spherical equivalent of -3.69 (D). There was no statistical differences between first-use group and reprocessed blade group regarding intraoperative (5.5% vs 8.8%), early (50.5% vs 49.5%) and late complications (33% vs 27.5%), respectively. Uncorrected visual acuity > 20/20 (68.1% vs 66.9%), aberrometry analysis (total RMS: 0.62 vs 0.64 µm) and safety (85.7% vs 83.1%) were similar between groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Reprocessed blades following rigid sterilization protocol may have similar outcomes and complications rates in LASIK surgery compared to first-use blades.
Keratomileusis, laser in situ; Postoperative complications; Refractive surgical procedures; Refractive errors; Equipment reuse
