[An analysis on therapeutic effects of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for high myopia]

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of 193-nm excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for the correction of high myopia.

A Keracor 116 excimer laser and a tapered transition zone technique were used to treat high myopia. It was divided into two groups: the first group -6.00 - 9.75 D, 233 eyes; the second group -10.00 - 14.00 D, 55 eyes. The effect of the tapered transition zone on refraction stability was investigated in a 12-month follow-up study.

At one year, of these eyes, 79.4% eyes attained visual acuity of 0.5 or better, 31.6% improved to 1.0 or better, 93.8% of the eyes improved or their best corrected visual acuity did not change, whereas 6.2% lost at least one line. Corneal haze was observed to be severe in one month, and diminished considerably at 6 and 12 months. At one year, no haze could be seen in 87.4%. 52.0% were within +/- 1.00 D and 80.9% in +/- 2.00 D. During one year, 14.9% were complicated with glaucoma because of using steroid drops.

These data show that excimer PRK for treatment of high myopia is an effective and safe refractive surgery. For severe myopia, it is an effective surgery, but predictability is not satisfactory, and long term follow-up is necessary.