Correction of large amblyopiogenic refractive errors in children using the excimer laser.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) are effective methods for correcting amblyopiogenic refractive errors in children.


METHODS
Thirty-six eyes in 35 amblyopic children, who ranged in age from 4 to 16 years (mean, 8.4 years), received treatment for large magnitude ametropia. Seventy-two percent (25/35) of the children had a neurobehavioral disorder and/or were noncompliant with spectacle or contact lens wear. Myopia ranged from -3.25 to -24.25 D (mean, -11.48 D); one patient had hyperopia of +5.87 D. Correction was tailored to match the refractive error of the nonamblyopic eye. VISX Star S2/S3 excimer lasers were used in manual or auto-tracking modes, and corneal centration was achieved using brief, general anesthesia. Mean follow-up was 29.2 months (range, 4-42 months).


RESULTS
Myopia correction averaged -8.95 +/- 2.89 D (range, -3.25 to -15.50). Eighty-nine percent (31 children) were corrected to within +/- 1.00 D of goal refraction and the remaining 11% to within 2.0 D of the goal (most were undercorrected). Acuity improved postoperatively in 97%; by 1 optotype line in 37% and by 2 or more in 60%. No child lost acuity. Binocularity improved in 69% (24/35) and remained the same in 31%. Corneal haze measured grade 0-1 in 78%, grade 2 in 14%, and grade 3-4 in 8%. Myopic regression exceeding congruent with 1.0 D/year (0.08 D/month) occurred in 50% (18/36) of eyes treated. No substantial differences were observed in PRK- (n = 18) versus LASEK- (n = 17) treated children.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser refractive surgery is effective for correcting anisometropic myopia in amblyopic children. Recurrence of myopia is common. Further study is indicated to determine long-term stability and safety of the procedure in this population.
Tychsen
Lawrence
L
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, St. Louis Children's Hospital at Washington University School of Medicine, Missouri 63110, USA. tychsen@vision.wustl.edu
Packwood
Eric
E
Berdy
Gregg
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000601:surgery; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012008:Recurrence; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D012038:Regeneration; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013285:Strabismus / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015348:Vision, Binocular; D014792:Visual Acuity