Astigmatism: risk factor for postoperative corneal haze in conventional myopic photorefractive keratectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively assess risk factors other than high myopia for corneal haze in patients who had conventional photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) without mitomycin-C (MMC).


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, California, USA.


METHODS
This retrospective study comprised 362 eyes of 193 military members who had conventional PRK with the Star excimer laser system from 2004 to 2006. Study inclusion criteria were myopia less than -6.0 diopters (D) spherical equivalent with or without astigmatism, no MMC applied, and at least 3 months of postoperative data available.


RESULTS
Nine eyes had grade 2 corneal haze or greater. Of these eyes, 5 had greater than 2.0 D of astigmatism and 4 had no identifiable risk factors. Clinically significant postoperative corneal haze was associated with the level of preoperative astigmatism (P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative astigmatism was significantly associated with the development of corneal haze after conventional PRK without MMC. Based on these data, surgeons should consider prophylactic MMC use during conventional PRK procedures for patients with moderate to high levels of astigmatism (approximately >or=1.25 D).
Thomas
Karin E
KE
Department of Ophthalmology, Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, California 92055, USA. flykarin@aol.com
Brunstetter
Tyson
T
Rogers
Spence
S
Sheridan
Mark V
MV
D000328:Adult; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000150:complications*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000477:Alkylating Agents; D016685:Mitomycin