Complications of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for myopia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and complication rates of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
Assutah Laser Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.


METHODS
This retrospective study evaluated the complication rate after PRK in 825 consecutive patients who had PRK for myopia and had a follow-up of at least 12 months.


RESULTS
At 12 months postoperatively, 4.0% of patients suffered from overcorrection and 8.6% from undercorrection. Induced astigmatism developed in 1.4% of all operated eyes. Three percent of the patients had haze, and 3.6% reported glare or halos. Twenty-three eyes (2.7%) lost one line or more of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Ptosis developed in 0.4% of the eyes, and 3.5% had a significant increase in intraocular pressure resulting from corticosteroid treatment. There were no complications in 678 eyes (82.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Eighty-two percent of eyes having PRK did not develop complications. In 18.0% one or more complication, mainly undercorrection, overcorrection, or loss of BCVA, occurred.
Loewenstein
A
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Ichilov Hospital, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Lipshitz
I
I
Varssano
D
D
Lazar
M
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone