Accommodative changes after photorefractive keratectomy in myopic eyes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• Vision Science

Background:

• Myopic patients often experience changes in visual function after refractive surgery.
• Understanding the impact of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on accommodation is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in amplitude of accommodation (AA) and facility of accommodation (FA) in myopic individuals following PRK.
• To assess the influence of age, preoperative accommodation, and other factors on postoperative AA and FA.

Main Methods:

• 160 myopic eyes from 80 patients underwent PRK using the Technolas 217Z excimer laser.
• Patients were grouped by age (<30 and ≥30 years), with AA and FA measured preoperatively and at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months post-PRK.

Main Results:

• Younger patients showed significant increases in AA and FA by 3 months post-PRK (p < 0.001).
• Older patients exhibited a significant increase in FA (p < 0.001) but no significant change in AA (p = 1.000).
• Preoperative AA and spherical equivalent significantly affected postoperative AA, while preoperative FA and female sex influenced postoperative FA.

Conclusions:

• Post-PRK near-vision issues in younger myopes may stem from transient decreases in AA and FA, which tend to recover.
• Older patients experience improved FA post-PRK, but AA remains largely unchanged.