title: Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy: clinical results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effectiveness, safety, and comfort of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using the Amaris laser platform.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ophthalmic Consultants of Beirut, Jal-El-Dib, Metn, Lebanon.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparative case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Myopic eyes with or without astigmatism were treated by transepithelial PRK (study group) and compared with variable-adjusted eyes treated by conventional PRK (control group) during which the epithelium was removed with alcohol. Postoperative pain, epithelial healing time, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), manifest refraction, and haze were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean subjective postoperative pain score (out of 10, indicating worst pain) at 48 hours was 2.0 in the study group (50 eyes) and 4.5 in the control group (50 eyes) (P=.02). The mean time to complete epithelial healing was 2.5 days ± 0.6 (SD) and 3.7 ± 0.8 days, respectively (P=.01). At 1 week, the UDVA was statistically significantly better in the control group; however, at 3 months, there was no statistically significant difference in UDVA, corrected distance visual acuity, or manifest refraction between the groups. Haze was significantly less in the study group (P<.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transepithelial PRK for mild to moderate myopia with or without astigmatism was safe and easier to perform than conventional PRK, and patients had less pain, less postoperative haze, and a faster healing time. The visual outcomes with the 2 techniques were comparable.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: Lebanese American University, Beirut, Lebanon. fahd@ocbleb.com
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fadlallah
authors.forename: Daoud
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fahed
authors.forename: Khalil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dunia
authors.forename: Jihad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menassa
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El Rami
authors.forename: Elie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chlela
authors.forename: Sharbel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fahed
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003646:Debridement; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000601:surgery*; D058447:Eye Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult