Three-year results of photorefractive keratectomy for myopia

J Refract Surg. 1995 May-Jun;11(3 Suppl):S248-52. doi: 10.3928/1081-597X-19950502-10.

Abstract

We evaluated the results of single-step photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on 35 consecutive myopic eyes (19 patients) with follow up of 3 years or more. The range of preoperative myopia was from -2.00 diopters (D) to -6.00 D with astigmatism of less than 1.50 D. The excimer laser used in this study was the ExciMed UV 200LA, (Summit Technology), which was set to a maximum correction of -6.00 D at a 5.0-mm diameter ablation zone. Uncorrected visual acuity better than 20/25 was achieved in 82.9% of eyes. Spectacle corrected visual acuity was equal to or better than that of preoperative levels in 94.3%. The difference between attempted and achieved correction was within 1.00 D in 60.0% of eyes. The myopic regression curve was Y = 3.679-0.6876 log (X). If the regression remains constant, we expect that refraction at 5 years after PRK would be -1.48 D. Trace corneal haze was present in 12 eyes (34.3%). At three years the most common subjective complaint was mild decreased night vision with asthenopia. The findings suggest that myopic regression can occur as long as 3 years after PRK.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Astigmatism / physiopathology
  • Cornea / physiopathology
  • Cornea / surgery*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lasers, Excimer
  • Male
  • Myopia / physiopathology
  • Myopia / surgery*
  • Photorefractive Keratectomy*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Refraction, Ocular
  • Visual Acuity / physiology