Photorefractive keratectomy as a second attempt to correct myopia after radial keratotomy.
BACKGROUND
Undercorrection after radial keratotomy is not uncommon. To correct the residual refractive error, several techniques are available including photorefractive keratectomy.


METHODS
We report five eyes of four patients, which remained undercorrected following radial keratotomy and underwent photorefractive keratectomy with an excimer laser (193 nm) to correct the residual myopia, with a follow up of 6 months to 1 year.


RESULTS
The corneal-healing response was similar to that of corneas treated by photorefractive keratectomy alone. No permanent corneal scarring occurred. The average preoperative refraction before photorefractive keratectomy was -2.25 +/- 0.55 diopters; it was close to plano (+0.12 +/- 0.26 D) after 6 months. One eye regressed 0.50 D between 6 months and 1 year. Best-spectacle corrected visual acuity did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy seems to be effective as a second procedure in eyes undercorrected following radial keratotomy.
Seiler
T
T
Universitäts-Augenklinik, Klinikum Charlottenburg Freie Universität, Berlin.
Jean
B
B
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012086:Reoperation; D014792:Visual Acuity