Prospective, randomized, paired comparison of laser epithelial keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy for myopia less than -6.50 diopters.
OBJECTIVE
We compared predictability, efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction following laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low to moderate myopia with either the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser or the Technolas 217C excimer laser.


METHODS
Forty-two patients with spherical equivalent refraction in the range -1.00 to -6.50 D were enrolled in this prospective study, each randomized for choice and sequence of LASEK and PRK on each of their eyes. Patients were examined daily for 7 days, and at 1 and 3 months. Patient satisfaction and quality of vision were assessed using a subjective questionnaire.


RESULTS
Mean baseline refraction was -3.57 +/- 1.25 D in LASEK eyes and -3.44 +/- 1.13 D in PRK eyes. Follow-up rates were 100% up to 1 month and 76% at 3 months. At 3 months, 32 (100%) of LASEK eyes and 31 (97%) of PRK eyes had uncorrected visual acuity > or = 20/40, 25 (79%) of LASEK eyes and 26 (82%) of PRK eyes had uncorrected visual acuity > or = 20/20, mean refraction was 0.08 +/- 0.53 D in LASEK eyes and 0.12 +/- 0.50 D in PRK eyes, 26 (81%) of LASEK eyes and 23 (72%) of PRK eyes had a refraction within +/- 0.50 D and 29 (91%) of LASEK eyes and 30 (94%) of PRK eyes had refraction within +/- 1.00 D. Epithelial healing time and pain in LASEK and PRK eyes were not statistically different, and patients were equally satisfied.


CONCLUSIONS
LASEK had similar predictability, efficacy, safety, and patient satisfaction to PRK in the treatment of low to moderate myopia.
Hashemi
Hassan
H
Farabi Eye Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. hhashemi@noorvision.com
Fotouhi
Akbar
A
Foudazi
Hamid
H
Sadeghi
Navid
N
Payvar
Saeed
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012449:Safety; D014792:Visual Acuity