title: Rehabilitation time after simultaneous bilateral photorefractive keratectomy for low to moderate myopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the visual acuity rehabilitation time after simultaneous bilateral photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using a flying small spot laser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eye Tech Medical Laser, Tel Aviv, Israel.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective interventional nonrandomized clinical trial, 42 consecutive eyes (21 patients) with myopia ranging from -0.75 to -5.50 diopters (D) (mean -2.75 D +/- 1.18 [SD]) and astigmatism up to -2.75 D (mean -0.64 +/- 0.55 D) were treated with bilateral simultaneous PRK using the ESIRIS excimer laser (Schwind). Main outcome measures were uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and manifest refraction up to 12 weeks after surgery. Both eyes of each patient were examined at the same follow-up after initial treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within 2 weeks and 1 month of the laser procedure, the UCVA was at least 20/40 in 1 eye in 85.7% of patients (18 patients) and 100% of patients (21 patients), respectively. After 2 weeks, UCVA was at least 20/20, 20/25, and 20/40 in 7.1%, 40.5%, and 80.9% of eyes. The final mean manifest spherical equivalent 12 weeks post laser treatment was -0.10 +/- 0.26 D, with a mean sphere of +0.02 +/- 0.22 D and a mean cylinder of -0.24 +/- 0.37 D. No eye had a BCVA loss during the follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simultaneous bilateral PRK using a flying small spot excimer laser for low to moderate myopia allowed most patients to return to most daily tasks in a couple of weeks without compromising safety.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Ophthalmology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, affiliated to the Tel Aviv University, Israel. dzadok@yahoo.com
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zadok
authors.forename: Yaniv
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Barkana
authors.forename: Yair
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Haggay
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Avizemer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing