Photorefractive keratectomy retreatment after LASIK.
OBJECTIVE
To study the results of late photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in corneas originally subjected to LASIK.


METHODS
Seven eyes of seven patients who had LASIK for myopia were retreated with PRK at least 2 years after LASIK. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), refraction, and haze were evaluated before and after LASIK and after retreatment by PRK.


RESULTS
Photorefractive keratectomy retreatment improved BSCVA in six (86%) of seven eyes, and one (14%) eye showed no changes. None of the eyes lost lines of BSCVA. Five of seven eyes developed mild haze, which disappeared before the last postoperative follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Photorefractive keratectomy retreatment performed at least 2 years after LASIK can improve visual acuity. We hypothesize that LASIK-induced corneal nerve damage disturbs corneal wound healing by increasing the tendency for development of haze.
Neira-Zalentein
Waldir
W
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Moilanen
Jukka A O
JA
Tuisku
Ilpo S
IS
Holopainen
Juha M
JM
Tervo
Timo M T
TM
D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014945:Wound Healing