OBJECTIVE: Report the outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for high 
myopia correction after long-term follow-up.
METHODS: Retrospective, consecutive, clinical study including 70 eyes that 
underwent LASIK using a 500 Hertz (Hz) repetition rate excimer laser and 
femtosecond technology for flap creation. Visual, refractive, corneal 
aberrations, and correlation among the variables were evaluated during 3 years. 
In addition, 34 eyes were followed during 5 years.
RESULTS: Significant improvement of 17 logMAR lines was observed in uncorrected 
vision at 5 years (p < 0.01). This was consistent with spherical equivalent 
reduction that came from mean preoperative -7.79 diopters (D) to 5 years 
postoperative -0.24 D (p < 0.01). Significant induction of primary spherical 
aberration and coma aberration was also found (p < 0.01) at 3 months with levels 
of 0.61 µm and 0.47 µm, respectively, with no further changes at 5 years (p > 
0.05). Pearson correlation showed that the amount of high-order aberrations at 
3 months postoperativeley was significantly correlated with the changes in the 
keratometry throughout the 5 years (delta K) (R2 0.242 p = 0.05). Finally, 
preoperative corneal asphericity showed an inverse correlation with the delta K 
(R2 -308 p = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Results from this study suggests that LASIK for high myopia 
correction using 500 Hz repetition rate excimer laser provides stable visual, 
refractive and aberrometric results after 5 years of follow-up. A more prolate 
cornea and the amount of higher-order aberrations induced after LASIK are 
factors that negatively impact in the long-term stability of the procedure.