Phototherapeutic keratectomy for decentration and central islands after photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine visual outcomes after treatment of decentration and central islands occurring after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).


METHODS
Retrospective, noncomparative case series.


METHODS
Patients (n = 14) who exhibited decentration or central islands after PRK and photoastigmatic keratectomy (PARK).


METHODS
Fourteen eyes with post-PRK decentration (group I) or central islands (group II) were treated by transepithelial phototherapeutic keratectomy guided by epithelial fluorescence without modulating agents, and subsequently were treated with PRK or PARK. Mean follow-up time was 9 months (range, 45 days-21 months).


METHODS
We analyzed pre- and postoperative keratometry, refractive errors, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity, and haze. In group I, we also measured pre- and postoperative decentration; in group II, we compared pre- and postoperative central island power.


RESULTS
Group I showed improvement in centration (P = 0.003). Group II showed decreased central island power (P = 0.18). -LogMAR UCVA improved from 0.59 (20/80(+1)) to 0.17 (20/30) (P = 0.03) and from 0.74 (20/100(-1)) to 0.21 (20/30(-1)) (P = 0.01) after retreatment of groups I and II, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Retreatment of patients having decentration and central islands after PRK results in improved visual outcomes.
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
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Rachid
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Yoo
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Azar
D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000473:pathology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing