[The Excimer laser. An instrument for corneal surgery]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Laser Surgery
• Corneal Reshaping

Context:

• Excimer laser photoablation enables precise keratectomies with minimal tissue damage.
• Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a keratorefractive technique for myopia correction.
• Current research includes up to 2 years of follow-up data.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia correction.
• To determine the refractive success and complication rates of PRK.
• To assess the clinical acceptability of PRK for different levels of myopia.

Summary:

• PRK achieves a 90% success rate (+/- 1 D) for myopia corrections up to -6.0 D, with rare vision-threatening complications.
• Corrections exceeding -6.0 D show a significant decrease in refractive success and a substantial increase in complications, rendering them clinically unacceptable.
• PRK offers a gentler alternative for removing superficial corneal scars, dystrophies, and degenerations compared to conventional methods.

Impact:

• PRK is a promising treatment for myopia, offering precise correction with high success rates for specific refractive errors.
• The study highlights limitations of PRK for high myopia, emphasizing the need for strict indications and further research into long-term stability.
• Excimer laser technology provides a less invasive option for various corneal surface irregularities.