Excimer laser reablation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the outcome of repeated excimer laser keratectomy after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
A retrospective study of 32 of 1000 consecutive patients who had a follow-up of at least 12 months and who underwent repeated PRK in the Assutah Laser Center.


RESULTS
The mean spherical equivalent (SE) declined significantly as a result of the repeated treatment. As opposed to zero eyes before re-treatment, 19 of 29 eyes (66%) achieved SE of within +/-1 D 6 months after re-treatment. Before re-treatment, 20 of 32 eyes (62%) had medium or severe haze, whereas after re-treatment only 1 of 29 eyes (3%) had medium haze, and none of the eyes had severe haze. At 6 months after reoperation, visual acuity had improved to 20/36, a significant improvement to the mean log MAR equivalent of 20/40 before re-treatment, yet still significantly worse than the log MAR equivalent before initial ablation which was 20/30.


CONCLUSIONS
Repeated excimer laser PRK has the potential for successful treatment of undercorrection, regression, and haze occurring after an initial PRK.
Loewenstein
A
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Ichilov Hospital & Assutah Laser Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Lipshitz
I
I
Varssano
D
D
Lazar
M
M
D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity