title: Single-Step Transepithelial PRK vs Alcohol-Assisted PRK in Myopia and Compound Myopic Astigmatism Correction.
abstract: Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK), where both the epithelium and stroma are removed in a single-step, is a relatively new procedure of laser refractive error correction. This study compares the 3-month results of myopia and compound myopic astigmatism correction by tPRK or conventional alcohol-assisted PRK (aaPRK).This prospective, nonrandomized, case-control study recruited 148 consecutive patients; 93 underwent tPRK (173 eyes) and 55 aaPRK (103 eyes). Refractive results, predictability, safety, and efficacy were evaluated during the 3-month follow-up. The main outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE).Mean preoperative MRSE was -4.30 ± 1.72 D and -4.33 ± 1.96 D, respectively (P = 0.87). The 3-month follow-up rate was 82.1% in the tPRK group (n = 145) and 86.4% in aaPRK group (n = 90), P = 0.81. Postoperative UDVA was 20/20 or better in 97% and 94% of eyes, respectively (P = 0.45). In the tPRK and aaPRK groups, respectively, 13% and 21% of eyes lost 1 line of CDVA, and 30% and 31% gained 1 or 2 lines (P = 0.48). Mean postoperative MRSE was -0.14 ± 0.26 D in the tPRK group and -0.12 ± 0.20 D in the aaPRK group (P = 0.9). The correlation between attempted versus achieved MRSE was equally high in both groups.Single-step transepithelial PRK and conventional PRK provide very similar results 3 months postoperatively. These procedures are predictable, effective, and safe for correction of myopia and compound myopic astigmatism.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Optometry, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland (BJK); Oftalmika Eye Hospital, Bydgoszcz, Poland (BJK, IC); and SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions, Kleinostheim, Germany (SAM, SV).
authors.forename: Bartlomiej J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kaluzny
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cieslinska
authors.forename: Samuel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mosquera
authors.forename: Shwetabh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome