D K Williams1. 1. Laser Vision Harley Street, London, England.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare 2 year results of multizone excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in eyes with myopia (spherical equivalent [SE]) from 6.00 to 10.00 diopters (D) with those in eyes with myopia from 10.25 to 25.75 D. SETTING: Wellington Hospital and Laser Vision Harley Street, London, England. METHODS: Of the 281 PRK cases with an SE of at least -6.00 D, 59 eyes had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Twenty-six of these had an SE from -6.00 to -10.00 D and 33, from -10.25 to -25.75 D. The single-pass, multizone technique was used to create ablation zones at 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 mm. Postoperatively, patients received a minimum of 4 weeks of fluorometholone 0.1%; those exhibiting regression after corticosteroids were discontinued were restarted on a tapering regimen. RESULTS: The refraction stabilized 3 months postoperatively in the -6.00 to -10.00 D group, and the final mean SE refraction was a small undercorrection. Two years postoperatively, 88.5% of eyes had a visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and 77.0% were within +/- 1.00 D of the intended correction. In eyes with myopia greater than 10.00 D, regression continued during the 2 years and refraction did not stabilize. Forty-two percent had an uncorrected acuity of 20/40 or better, and 48.0% were within +/- 1.00 D of the intended correction. The incidence and severity of haze were higher in the group with myopia greater than 10.00 D. The overall incidence of complications was low. CONCLUSION: Two years after multizone PRK, refractive and visual acuity results in eyes with myopia from 6.00 to 10.00 D were good. Results in eyes with myopia of more than 10.00 D were not satisfactory, and refraction had not stabilized.
PURPOSE: To compare 2 year results of multizone excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in eyes with myopia (spherical equivalent [SE]) from 6.00 to 10.00 diopters (D) with those in eyes with myopia from 10.25 to 25.75 D. SETTING: Wellington Hospital and Laser Vision Harley Street, London, England. METHODS: Of the 281 PRK cases with an SE of at least -6.00 D, 59 eyes had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Twenty-six of these had an SE from -6.00 to -10.00 D and 33, from -10.25 to -25.75 D. The single-pass, multizone technique was used to create ablation zones at 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 mm. Postoperatively, patients received a minimum of 4 weeks of fluorometholone 0.1%; those exhibiting regression after corticosteroids were discontinued were restarted on a tapering regimen. RESULTS: The refraction stabilized 3 months postoperatively in the -6.00 to -10.00 D group, and the final mean SE refraction was a small undercorrection. Two years postoperatively, 88.5% of eyes had a visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and 77.0% were within +/- 1.00 D of the intended correction. In eyes with myopia greater than 10.00 D, regression continued during the 2 years and refraction did not stabilize. Forty-two percent had an uncorrected acuity of 20/40 or better, and 48.0% were within +/- 1.00 D of the intended correction. The incidence and severity of haze were higher in the group with myopia greater than 10.00 D. The overall incidence of complications was low. CONCLUSION: Two years after multizone PRK, refractive and visual acuity results in eyes with myopia from 6.00 to 10.00 D were good. Results in eyes with myopia of more than 10.00 D were not satisfactory, and refraction had not stabilized.