Comparison of excimer laser treatment of astigmatism and myopia. The Excimer Laser and Research Group.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and efficacy of excimer laser treatment of myopic astigmatism and to compare this with the excimer laser treatment of myopia.


METHODS
A prospective, open study of consecutive patients having excimer laser treatment of myopic astigmatism or myopia.


METHODS
Patients were recruited from 18 private ophthalmic practices.


METHODS
Fifty-four eyes received treatment for astigmatism and 66 eyes for myopia. One patient was lost to follow-up, and another underwent an ineffective ablation.


METHODS
A VISX Twenty/Twenty excimer laser was used to perform either photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy or photorefractive keratectomy.


METHODS
Refraction and visual acuity with and without correction were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.


RESULTS
At 6 months, 17 (85%) of the 20 patients receiving photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy were within 1 diopter of plano refraction, and 19 (95%) of 20 had uncorrected visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) or better. For patients receiving photorefractive keratectomy, these figures were 28 (88%) of 32 patients and 28 (88%) of 32 patients, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Excimer laser surgery offers an effective option in the treatment of myopic astigmatism.
Taylor
H R
HR
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Guest
C S
CS
Kelly
P
P
Alpins
N A
NA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000601:surgery*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity