Measurement of corneal thickness by ultrasound after photorefractive keratectomy in high myopia.
BACKGROUND
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) has been used to treat myopia in human eyes since 1988.


METHODS
We evaluated corneal ablation depth after excimer laser myopic photorefractive keratectomy with the Summit Technology ExciMed UV200LA laser. Preoperative refraction was: mean 9.58 diopters (D) +/- 2.01, (range 6 to 17). We used ultrasound pachometry (1640 m/sec) in 40 eyes of 33 patients. Mean follow-up was of 49.5 weeks (range 16 to 76).


RESULTS
The measurement of the corneal thickness showed a reduction of the initial thickness followed by an inconsistent increase caused by wound healing and tissue proliferation.


CONCLUSIONS
The data showed no direct correlation between diopters of refractive correction and the change in corneal thickness.
Sabetti
L
L
Clinica Oculistica, Ospedale S. Salvatore, L'Aquila-Italy.
Spadea
L
L
Furcese
N
N
Balestrazzi
E
E
D002455:Cell Division; D002465:Cell Movement; D003315:Cornea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing