title: Higher-order aberrations after wavefront-optimized photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the changes in higher-order aberrations (HOAs) that occur after wavefront-optimized photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Emory Eye Center and Emory Vision, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective analysis comprised eyes that had PRK or LASIK from June 2004 through October 2005. Postoperative outcome measures included 3-month uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), changes in the root mean square (RMS) and grouped coefficient HOAs (microns) measured with a corneal analyzer, and subjective assessment of visual aberrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred consecutive eyes of 54 patients had PRK, and 100 contemporaneous consecutive eyes of 71 patients had LASIK. The PRK and LASIK populations were similar in general demographics, preoperative HOAs, and postoperative UCVA and BSCVA. The mean MRSE was slightly hyperopic after PRK (mean +0.11 diopters [D]) and slightly myopic after LASIK (mean -0.19 D) (P< .0001). There were no statistically significant changes in RMS or grouped coefficient HOA values after PRK or LASIK, nor were there significant differences in postoperative RMS or grouped coefficient HOA values between PRK and LASIK. One percent of PRK and LASIK patients reported a subjective increase in postoperative visual aberrations; 5% reported a subjective improvement postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wavefront-optimized excimer laser surgery did not induce significant HOAs after PRK or LASIK. The 2 techniques were equally efficacious and had equivalent postoperative HOA profiles.
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. jrandle@emory.edu
authors.forename: J Bradley
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Randleman
authors.forename: Claudia E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Perez-Straziota
authors.forename: Michelle H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Alfred J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Evan S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Loft
authors.forename: R Doyle
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stulting
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology