Treatment of low, moderate, and high myopia with the 193-nm excimer laser

Photorefractive keratectomy using the VISX 2015 193-nm excimer laser was performed on 134 consecutive eyes of 97 myopic patients by the two authors. Preoperative refractive errors (spherical equivalent) ranged from -1.63 to -14.25 diopters (D) (mean, -5.76 +/- 2.40 D). Follow-up of 6 months was available on 110 eyes. At six months, the average residual refractive error was +0.16 +/- 1.13 D (range -2.88 to +3.38). Correction within 1 D of that attempted was obtained in 77 eyes (70%). Uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 89 eyes (81%), and 20/25 or better in 54 eyes (49%).

At one year, follow up was available on 57 eyes. The average residual refractive error was -0.22 +/- 0.87 D (range -3.00 to +2.00 D). Correction within 1 D was achieved in 47 eyes (82%). Visual acuity was 20/40 or better uncorrected in 50 eyes (88%), and 20/25 or better in 35 eyes (61%). One patient lost three lines of best corrected visual acuity and 4 patients lost 2 lines of best corrected visual acuity from corneal haze or irregular astigmatism, while all other patients returned to best corrected visual acuity within one line of their preoperative best corrected visual acuity.

Photorefractive keratectomy with the 193-nm excimer laser appears to be a useful treatment modality for the reduction of low to moderate myopia.