Scanning laser polarimetry and retinal thickness analysis before and after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE. To evaluate changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using a scanning laser polarimeter with fixed corneal compensation (GDx) and the retinal thickness analyzer (RTA). METHODS. Thirty-eight eyes of 19 healthy subjects (10 female and 9 male; mean age 37.0 +/- 8.8 years) underwent GDx and RTA measurements before and after LASIK. All subjects revealed mild to high myopia (mean spherical refraction: -4.0 +/- 2.75 D). Measurements using GDx were followed by RTA measurements after pupil dilation. All measurements were performed the day before LASIK and 1 week postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS. Scanning laser polarimetry revealed a slight decrease in RNFL thickness measurements after LASIK. MRNFL and RNFL cross section were significantly lower after LASIK using RTA. The changes might be artifacts in a small group of myopic subjects.