Excimer laser keratectomy for the correction of myopia

We present the preliminary refractive and visual results in 46 sighted eyes that had undergone excimer photorefractive keratectomy. Although our sample size was small and the follow-up relatively limited (3-6 months), a few important conclusions were drawn. The visual and refractive results compare quite favorably to the preliminary results with radial keratotomy. Thirty-four of 46 patients (74%) were within 1 D of emmetropia; and 45 (98%) were within 2 D at the end of the follow-up period. Forty-four patients (96%) achieved at least 20/40 vision, with more than half achieving 20/20 or better. We encountered no significant vision threatening complications. Twenty of 46 patients (43%) complained of night vision disturbances, but symptoms improved in all patients by 6 months. The majority of patients developed trace epithelial haze; however, corneal haze did not produce reductions in visual acuity. Though the preliminary results of our study of the safety and efficacy of excimer photorefractive keratectomy are promising, further study of long-term vision stability and corneal clarity is clearly needed.