Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Refractive Surgical Correction for Presbyopia and Exploring Postoperative Visual Acuity
Published on: September 20, 2024
Surface ablation outcomes in high myopia with different epithelium removal techniques
Francesco D'Oria1, Roberto Fernández-Buenaga, Laura Casanova
1From the Vissum Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Grupo Miranza, Alicante, Spain (D'Oria, Fernández-Buenaga, Casanova, García-Corral, Vega, Alio); Division of Ophthalmology, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, Spain (D'Oria, Fernández-Buenaga, Alip); Section of Ophthalmology, Department of Medical Science, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Italy (D'Oria).
Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TransPRK) with or without SmartPulse Technology demonstrated superior refractive predictability and efficacy compared to alcohol-assisted photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for high myopia correction.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Refractive Surgery
- Corneal Surgery
Background:
- High myopia presents challenges for refractive correction.
- Surface ablation techniques like photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) are used for myopia correction.
- Comparing different PRK methods is crucial for optimizing outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the outcomes of alcohol-assisted PRK versus transepithelial PRK (TransPRK).
- To evaluate the impact of SmartPulse Technology (SmartSurfACE) on TransPRK outcomes.
- To assess refractive predictability and efficacy in high myopia correction.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 135 eyes with high myopia (SE > -5.50 D).
- Procedures included alcohol-assisted PRK (65 eyes), TransPRK1 (32 eyes), and TransPRK2 (38 eyes).
- All surgeries utilized mitomycin-C; outcomes analyzed at 6-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- TransPRK groups showed higher efficacy indices (0.98) than alcohol-assisted PRK (0.91).
- 100% of TransPRK2 eyes and 96.9% of TransPRK1 eyes achieved SE within ±0.50 D, versus 73.8% for alcohol-assisted PRK.
- No statistically significant difference in safety index between groups (P = .780).
Conclusions:
- Surface ablation with Amaris 500 excimer laser and mitomycin-C provides adequate refractive outcomes for high myopia.
- TransPRK, with or without SmartPulse Technology, offers statistically significant improvements in refractive predictability and efficacy over alcohol-assisted PRK.
