title: Long-term results of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy in high myopia: a preliminary report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the results of 193-nm excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) performed on highly myopic eyes with a follow-up of at least 2 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-three eyes of 41 patients were treated with a myopic PRK for an attempted correction ranging between -8 and -17 D (mean -10.9 +/- 2.8 SD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The follow-up ranged from 24 to 60 months (mean 34.1 months +/- 10 SD). Fifty-three percent of the eyes achieved a refraction within +/- 2 D of the planned correction, with a refractive error greater than 4 D in 21% of the treated eyes. The uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 45% of the eyes. There were no significant opacities in 85% of the eyes examined. A second treatment was performed on 5 eyes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that excimer laser PRK is a safe and relatively effective alternative for treating highly myopic eyes, and its effects are stable over a long period of time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spadea
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colucci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Balestrazzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity