Photorefractive keratectomy for hyperopia in 800 eyes with the Meditec MEL 60 laser

To evaluate the refractive results of 800 hyperopic eyes undergoing PRK treatment.

Eight hundred hyperopic eyes were treated with PRK. An Aesculap-Meditec MEL 60 scanning ArF excimer laser used. Treatment Group 1 consisted of eyes with a preoperative refractive error of +3.50 D or less (n = 482) and Group 2, of +3.75 D or more (n = 318).

Preoperatively, Group 1 required an average correction of +2.88+/-1.34 D and Group 2 required +5.64+/-2.96 D. One year after PRK, average residual correction was +1.26+/-1.24 D in Group 1, and in Group 2, +2.46+/-1.84 D. In Group 1, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/40 or better in 88.4% (426/482); 20/20 or better in 75.7% (365); 2.1% (10/482) of eyes lost 2 lines, 2.1% (10/482) gained 2 lines; 3.1% (15/482) gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA; 74.4% (359/482) of eyes were within +/-0.50 D of target correction and 84.8% (408/482) were within +/-1.00 D. In Group 2, 47.5% (151/318) had UCVA of 20/40 or better; 34.2% (109/318) saw 20/20 or better uncorrected; 19.1% (61/318) lost 2 lines; 11.6% (37/318) lost 3 lines; none of the eyes gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA; 22.3% (71/318) were within +/-0.50 D and 46.8% (149/318) were within +/-1.00 D of target correction. Refractive stability was achieved after 6 months; a slight regression after 6 months was still observed. In Group 1, 10.5% (42/482) and in Group 2, 21.6% (69/318) complained of problems with daytime vision (glare and ghost image); during night-driving in Group 1, 17.6% (85/482) and in Group 2, 40.5% (129/318) had problems.

PRK with the Aesculap-Meditec MEL 60 scanning ArF excimer laser offered the best long-term results with +3.50 D or less preoperative refractive error. With higher corrections, regression, decrease in BSCVA, and daytime visual problems were encountered.