AIM:To evaluate the long-term effect of laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK)in the treatment of myopia.

METHODS:A retrospective analysis of the uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), refractive diopters, corneal curvature, central corneal thickness and postoperative complications were performed for the people who has accepted the operation for at least 8 years. The patients were divided into three groups according to their degree of preoperative myopia: -1.00～-6.00D of 92 eyes were in group A; -6.25～-10.00D of 68 eyes in group B; ≥-10.00D of 27 eyes in group C.

RESULTS: More than 8 years after the operation, the UCVA≥1.0 were 73.9%, 52.9% and 22.2% and the refractive diopters were -0.21±0.06D, -0.54±0.12D, -2.33±0.36D in each group. The residual refractive error within ±1.00D was 83.4% and within ±0.50D was 59.4%. There were significant differences between group A and group B/C(P<0.05). More than 8 years after LASIK compared with that one year after the operation, the refractive regression more than 1.00D accounted for 9.09%.

CONCLUSION: LASIK for the treatment of myopia is safe, effective, predictable and stable. Especially for the low to moderate myopia patients who can obtain more satisfactory treatment effect.