title: Excimer laser treatment for high and extreme myopia. The Melbourne Excimer Laser and Research Group.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The excimer laser allows the controlled ablation of corneal tissue to correct refractive error. We assessed the efficacy of excimer laser treatment for persons with high (spherical equivalent between -5 and -10 diopters) and extreme (spherical equivalent greater than -10D) myopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were assessed 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. A VisX Twenty/Twenty laser was used. Visual acuity, refraction, corneal clarity, and adverse reactions were evaluated at each visit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six month follow-up data were available for 194 high myopes and 53 extreme myopes. Postoperative healing was similar for the two groups. Six months postoperatively, 89.2% of high myopes and 49% of extreme myopes were within 2D of planned refraction. At 6 months, 28% of high myopes had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 and 71% had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40. Of extreme myopes, 4% had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 and 30% had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40. Significantly more corneal haze was observed in the extreme myopes. Loss of 2 or more lines of best corrected visual acuity was observed in 13% of high myopes and 13% of extreme myopes at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy is an alternative means of treating high and extreme myopia and can cause a significant reduction in myopia. There is a need to gather further information as more patients are followed up for greater time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melboune, Australia.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000145:classification / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity