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Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for high myopia
J L Menezo1, R Martinez-Costa, A Navea
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) effectively treated high myopia. While most patients achieved good vision, severe haze impacted a few eyes with the highest myopia levels.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Refractive Surgery
- Corneal Surgery
Background:
- High myopia presents significant visual challenges.
- Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a surgical option for myopia correction.
- Excimer laser technology has advanced refractive surgery outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of slit scan mode excimer laser PRK for high myopia.
- To compare outcomes between moderate and very high myopia groups.
Main Methods:
- One hundred thirty-three eyes of 103 patients underwent PRK for myopia (-6.00 to -22.00 D).
- Epithelium removal used 20% ethanol; ablation featured a tapered profile.
- Patients were grouped by preoperative myopia: Group A (-6.00 to -12.00 D) and Group B (-12.50 to -22.00 D).
Main Results:
- Group A (88 eyes) showed significant refractive correction, with minimal haze not affecting visual acuity.
- Group B (45 eyes) also showed correction, but three eyes experienced vision loss due to severe haze and scarring.
- Postoperative refraction in Group A stabilized near plano, while Group B showed greater variability, especially at six months and one year.
Conclusions:
- Slit scan PRK is effective for moderate myopia, yielding results comparable to low myopia treatments.
- While generally safe, PRK for very high myopia carries a risk of visual acuity loss due to stromal haze and scarring.
- Further research may explore strategies to mitigate haze in extreme myopia correction.