PURPOSE
To evaluate the long-term outcome of myopic photorefractive keratectomy
(PRK).
METHODS
This prospective study included 31 patients (49 eyes) who underwent PRK
between 1991 and 1993. A Summit UV200 excimer laser was used. Patients were
divided into two groups—low myopia: preoperative <6.00 diopters (D)
(range: –1.50 to –5.75 D) (n=19); and high myopia: preoperative
≥6.00 D (range: –6.00 to –13.00 D) (n=12). Long-term
postoperative follow-up was every 2 years up to 14 years. Refraction, visual
acuity, corneal status, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated. At 14
years, corneal topography and endothelial cell count were performed.
RESULTS
At last follow-up, manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) for the
low myopia group was –0.17±0.8, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA)
logMAR was –0.06±0.55, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity
(BSCVA) logMAR was 0.00±1.00. The high myopia group had a final MRSE of
–0.67±1.4, UCVA logMAR –0.11±0.55, and BSCVA logMAR
–0.03±1.00. At 14 years, BSCVA for most eyes was at least equal to
preoperative BSCVA. In both groups, haze increased between 3 and 6 months, then
declined in the first year. A temporary increase of IOP was seen in 4 eyes.
Complications were minor haze (2 eyes), transient anisocoria (9 eyes), and
intraepithelial hemosiderin deposits (4 eyes). No abnormalities in endothelial
cell count or morphology, astigmatism, or ectasia were noted. Three patients
reported night vision disturbance, but the majority of patients were satisfied
with the outcome based on subjective questionnaire (low myopia group: 84%; high
myopia group: 75%).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates the safety of myopic PRK. [J Refract
Surg. 2009;25:545-552.]
doi:10.3928/1081597X-20090512-09
AUTHORS
From Centro di Ricerca Clinica e Laboratorio per il Glaucoma e la Cornea
– Clinica Oculistica, Di.N.O.G., University of Genoa, Azienda Ospedaliera
Universitaria San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
This study was supported in part by a PhD grant to Università degli
Studi di Genova from “Fondazione CARIGE,” Genova, Italy.
The authors have no proprietary interest in the materials presented herein.
The authors thank Valentina Scanarotti and Loredana Fehl for their diligent
help with compilation and logistics.
Correspondence: Carlo E. Traverso, MD, Centro di Ricerca Clinica e
Laboratorio per il Glaucoma e la Cornea – Clinica Oculistica, Di.N.O.G.,
University of Genoa, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino, Largo R.
Benzi 10, 16100 Genoa, Italy. Tel/Fax: 39 0103 538 468; E-mail:
mc8620@mclink.it
Received: October 3, 2007; Accepted: October 7, 2008
Posted online: December 15, 2008
