Epithelial healing and ocular discomfort after photorefractive keratectomy in children.
OBJECTIVE
To document the rate of healing of the corneal epithelial defect created by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and the degree of discomfort experienced by children treated with PRK.


METHODS
Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.


METHODS
Ten patients between 3 and 10 years of age were treated with PRK for severe anisometropia. All had anisometropic amblyopia refractory to conventional therapy with glasses or contact lenses and occlusion therapy. The size of the corneal epithelial defect was documented daily until the defect healed completely. Postoperative discomfort was documented daily using a pain-assessment scale until the epithelial defect healed completely.


RESULTS
Two children were treated with PRK for hyperopic anisometropia; the rest were treated for myopic anisometropia. Cumulatively, the corneal epithelium had healed completely by day 3 in 6 patients (60%), by day 4 in 9 patients (90%), and by day 5 in all patients. The mean healing time was 3.5 days. Patients experienced mild discomfort on the day of surgery and on the first postoperative day. They had minimal pain on day 2. After day 2, no patient reported pain or other discomfort.


CONCLUSIONS
The corneal epithelial defect created by PRK healed promptly and was associated with minimal postoperative discomfort in children treated with the protocol described.
Paysse
Evelyn A
EA
Department of Ophthalmology, Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. epaysse@bcm.tmc.edu
Hamill
M Bowes
MB
Koch
Douglas D
DD
Hussein
Mohamed A W
MA
Brady McCreery
Kathryn M
KM
Coats
David K
DK
D015858:Anisometropia / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000601:surgery; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014945:Wound Healing