Peripheral corneal relaxing incisions after excimer laser refractive surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of peripheral corneal relaxing incisions (PCRIs) for correcting corneal astigmatism after excimer laser refractive surgery.


METHODS
Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.


METHODS
In this retrospective case series, PCRIs were performed in 33 eyes (30 patients) that had residual astigmatism after photorefractive keratectomy or laser in situ keratomileusis according to a nomogram based on age and preoperative refractive astigmatism. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and refractive and keratometric astigmatism were evaluated, and vector analysis using the Holladay-Cravy-Koch formula was performed.


RESULTS
The percentage of eyes with a UCVA of 20/20 or better increased significantly from 6% (2/33) preoperatively to 61% (20/33) postoperatively (P<.001). Refractive astigmatism was reduced significantly, and the effect was stable up to 1 year after PCRIs. The percentage of eyes within +/-0.5 diopter (D) and +/-1.0 D of cylinder increased by 73% and 52%, respectively (both P<.001). No eye lost 1 or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Peripheral corneal relaxing incisions are an effective approach for correcting low amounts of corneal astigmatism in eyes that have had excimer laser refractive surgery.
Wang
Li
L
Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Swami
Anil
A
Koch
Douglas D
DD
D000465:Algorithms; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014792:Visual Acuity