Stability of refraction during two years after myopic epikeratoplasty

A series of 54 consecutive myopic epikeratoplasty procedures was performed by three surgeons between November 1986 and August 1987. To evaluate the stability of the myopic epikeratoplasty procedure, this study was limited to the 33 eyes that had data 24 months after surgery. One year after surgery, 68% (19/28 eyes) had 20/40 or better uncorrected visual acuity and after two years, 57% (17/30 eyes) had 20/40 or better uncorrected visual acuity. Significant loss of surgical effect (increasing myopia) did not occur during the first six postoperative months (r = 0.09, P = NS). This was due to the large amount of variability in spherical equivalent refraction during this interval. However significant regression was detected between 6 and 12 months after surgery (r = 0.27, F = 4.74, P = 0.03). Even though there was further reduction in variability from 12 to 24 months, significant regression was not found (r = 0.07, P = NS). This suggests stabilization of refraction by approximately 12 months for this population.