title: Influence of patient age on refraction and corneal haze after photorefractive keratectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since wound healing processes are known to be more rapid in those who are young, it was decided to examine the effect of patient age on refractive outcome of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 599 eyes that had undergone PRK were studied retrospectively. The eyes were categorised by baseline myopia and patient age. Spherical equivalent and corneal haze were compared in the baseline refraction and age groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after PRK.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in postoperative refraction and corneal haze in the different age groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient age had no statistically significant effect on refraction and corneal haze 1 year after PRK.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Centre, Zerifin, Israel.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hefetz
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Domnitz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haviv
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krakowsky
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kibarsky
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abrahami
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nemet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome