Phototherapeutic keratectomy to eliminate postoperative interface sheen in hyperopic LASIK.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of minimal phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) during primary hyperopic LASIK to eliminate or minimize interface sheen.


METHODS
Forty-two eyes of 21 consecutive hyperopic patients underwent LASIK using the NIDEK EC-5000 CX excimer laser. Mean spherical hyperopia was +3.05 +/- 1.41 diopters (D) (range: +0.75 to +5.75 D); mean cylinder was -0.88 +/- 0.89 D (range: -0.25 to -2.25 D). Mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent was +2.70 +/- 1.17 D (range: +0.75 to +5.00 D). Twenty-eight eyes received PTK after the refractive ablation whereas 14 eyes did not. The presence or absence of interface sheen was noted using slit-lamp microscopy.


RESULTS
One (3.5%) eye in the group that received PTK ablation had sheen whereas 27 (89%) eyes did not. A greater number of cases with sheen occurred in the group that did not receive PTK (12 eyes).


CONCLUSIONS
Our experience shows that the delivery of minimal PTK without a masking agent tends to reduce the incidence of sheen after hyperopic LASIK.
Gulf Eye Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. eyedoc@emirates.net.ae
Millicent
M
Grim
Rachelle
R
Pablo
D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000601:surgery*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome