PURPOSE
To study the results of late photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in corneas originally subjected to LASIK.
METHODS
Seven eyes of seven patients who had LASIK for myopia were retreated with PRK at least 2 years after LASIK. Uncorrected visual
acuity (UCVA),
best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refraction, and haze were evaluated before and after LASIK and after retreatment by PRK.
RESULTS
Photorefractive keratectomy retreatment improved BSCVA in six (86%) of seven eyes, and one (14%) eye showed no changes. None of the
eyes lost
lines of BSCVA. Five of seven eyes developed mild haze, which disappeared before the last postoperative follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS
Photorefractive keratectomy retreatment performed at least 2 years after LASIK can improve visual acuity. We hypothesize that
LASIK-induced
corneal nerve damage disturbs corneal wound healing by increasing the tendency for development of haze. [J Refract Surg. 2008;24:710-712.]
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
From the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki (Neira-Zalentein, Moilanen, Tuisku, Holopainen, Tervo); and Centre for Military
Medicine,
Aero Medical Center (Moilanen), Helsinki, Finland.
This study was supported by the Helsinki University Research Fund TYH 3316 and 6243, Evald and Hilda Nissi Foundation, Mary och Georg C. Ehrnrooths
Foundation; Research Foundation of Orion Corporation; Friends of the Blind Foundation; Leo, Mary and Mary-Ann Hackman Foundation; and the Finnish Eye
Foundation.
The authors have no financial interest in the materials presented herein.
Correspondence: Timo M.T. Tervo, MD, Dept of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki, PO Box 220, 00029 HUS, Finland. Tel: 358 9 471 73109; Fax: 358 9
471
73162; E-mail: timo.tervo@hus.fi
Received: June 20, 2007
Accepted: April 1, 2008
Posted online: May 15, 2008
