Reasons not to select patients for corneal refractive surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To present how the section of Refractive Surgery of the Federal University of São Paulo assesses the candidates and the reasons to indicate for corneal refractive surgery. Methods: We examined 1626 patients. Anamnesis, complete ophthalmologic examination and corneal topography were performed in all patients. The patients spontaneously seeked evaluation at the Refractive Surgery Section by telephone without a previous screening. Reasons to refuse patients for refractive surgery were previously established by the Refractive Surgery Section. Results: Based on current technology and clinical experience, 265 patients (16.29%) were refused for excimer laser corneal refractive surgery. Myopia of patients who had insufficient pre-operative corneal pachymetry for the laser treatment was the main cause for refusal (51 patients). Cataract (45 patients), keratoconus (31 patients), amblyopia (21 patients), hyperopia > 5 diopters and mixed astigmatism (19 patients), presbyopia (unaware ness of the need for optical correction after the procedure; 16 patients), pupillary diameter > 5mm (9 patients), single eye (9 patients), progressive myopia (8 patients), postradial keratotomy (7 patients) and low ametropia (7 patients) were among the reasons for the refusal. Conclusion: Candidates for excimer laser corneal refractive surgery may present risk factors that should be known in order to avoid complications. Razões para recusar candidatos à cirurgia refrativa corneana