Purpose: To compare the long-term refractive outcomes and changes in higher order wavefront aberrations in patients undergoing photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with topography-guided (CATz) or wavefront-guided (OPDCAT) ablation algorithm using the NIDEK Advanced Vision Excimer Laser System (NAVEX).
Methods: A retrospective 12-month follow-up study was conducted of 226 eyes undergoing PRK. The NIDEK EC-5000 CX II excimer laser and Final Fit 1.11 treatment planning software were used. Sixty-eight eyes underwent OPDCAT ablation and 158 eyes underwent CATz ablation. Mean preoperative manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) was -5.73 +/- 2.03 diopters (D) (range: -11.25 to -2.50 D) in the OPDCAT group and -3.77 +/- 3.78 D (range: -12.50 to -5.75 D) in the CATz group.
Results: At 12 months postoperatively, mean MRSE was 0.05 D for the OPDCAT group and plano for the CATz group. Stability was similar in both groups as were visual outcomes. No eyes lost 2 or more lines of BSCVA at 6 months postoperatively or later. Mean ocular wavefront higher order aberrations at 3 months postoperatively were 0.44 +/- 0.17 microm for the OPDCAT group and 0.55 +/- 0.27 microm for the CATz group.
Conclusions: Refractive outcomes were equivalent between eyes that underwent PRK with wavefront-guided ablation and those that underwent topography-guided ablation.