One-year results of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for low to moderate myopia.
OBJECTIVE
Excimer photorefractive keratectomy is a promising method to reduce myopia. We evaluated the effectiveness, predictability, stability, and safety of photorefractive keratectomy performed by two surgeons at a single site with a 1-year follow-up.


METHODS
An excimer laser (Summit Excimed UV200, Summit Technology, Waltham, Mass) was used to treat 47 eyes. Preoperative uncorrected visual acuity averaged 20/277 and ranged from 20/60 to 20/500. Spherical equivalent averaged -3.9 diopters and ranged from -1.5 to -6.1 D.


RESULTS
One year postoperatively, best corrected visual acuity averaged 20/13 and ranged from 20/10 to 20/20. No patients lost any of best corrected visual acuity. The uncorrected visual acuity at 1 year averaged 20/20 and ranged from 20/10 to 20/200. Ninety-four percent of eyes had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better; 83%, 20/25 or better; and 74%, 20/20 or better. An initial hyperopic overcorrection is followed by gradual regression to emmetropia during a 12-month period. Refractive spherical equivalent averaged 0.44 D and ranged from -3 to +2.6 D at 1 year. The proportion of eyes within 1 D of emmetropia was 80% at 1 year. The most significant shifts in refraction occurred between the first and second months, but small shifts occurred up to 12 months. Subgrouping the results according to age revealed a significantly greater effect with larger residual hyperopia in those older than 40 years. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was high.


CONCLUSIONS
During a 1-year period, excimer photorefractive keratectomy appears to be an effective, predictable, stable, and safe method to reduce myopia. Age may play a role in the effectiveness of the procedure, with greater hyperopia resulting in those older than 40 years.
New England Eye Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Mass.
S
S
Dutt
R F
RF
Steinert
M B
MB
Raizman
C A
CA
Puliafito
D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D003315:Cornea / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology