Effect of decreasing surface and interface irregularities after photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis on optical and functional outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess a new method for decreasing corneal ablated surface irregularities after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) by performing a final smoothing immediately after the treatment.


METHODS
One hundred forty-seven eyes with ablation irregularities after PRK or LASIK using the Nidek ED-5000 excimer laser and examined with the Nidek EAS 1000, were randomized into two groups: 74 eyes had final smoothing and 73 eyes were patched immediately. Preoperative mean refraction for the smoothing group was -7.55 +/- 2.50 D and for the patched group, it was -7.30 +/- 1.90 D, (p = 0.04).


RESULTS
AT 12 months after treatment, mean haze was 0.5 +/- 0.3 in the smoothing group and 1.2 +/- 0.4 in the patched group (p = 0.006); mean spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 1.1 +/- 0.25 in the smoothing group and 0.95 +/- 0.18 in the patched group (p = 0.02); the percentages of eyes within 1.00 D of the planned correction was 68% in the smoothing group and 33% in the patched group.


CONCLUSIONS
Performing a final smoothing immediately after PRK or LASIK improves refractive and optical outcomes.
Vinciguerra
P
P
Division di Oculistica, Ospedale San Gerardo di Monza, (MI), Italy.
Azzolini
M
M
Airaghi
P
P
Radice
P
P
De Molfetta
V
V
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*