Two-zone excimer photorefractive keratectomy for moderate myopia. Six- to 18-month follow-up

Ophthalmology. 1995 Jul;102(7):1054-9. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(95)30912-8.

Abstract

Purpose: To study the results of the two-zone photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in 35 eyes of 27 patients with moderate myopia of 6 to 8 diopters (D) over 6 to 18 months.

Methods: An excimer laser was used with a fluence of 160 mJ/cm2 at a frequency of 5 Hz. The ablation was performed with two zones (6 and 5 mm). All patients received topical steroid (0.1 fluorometholone) tapered over 4 months.

Results: There were no significant untoward effects in any patient. There were minimal changes in contrast sensitivity, brightness acuity, and astigmatism. Uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was obtained in 77% of patients at 6 months, in 73% at 12 months, and in 71% at 18 months. A refraction of +/-1.0 diopter was obtained in 69% at 6 months, in 65% at 12 months, and in 71% at 18 months. There is no statistically significant difference at 6, 12, and 18 months in both visual acuity and refraction.

Conclusions: Two-zone PRK in moderate myopia is safe and reasonably effective. The results are stable from 6 to 18 months.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Astigmatism / physiopathology
  • Contrast Sensitivity / physiology
  • Cornea / drug effects
  • Cornea / physiopathology
  • Cornea / surgery*
  • Corneal Opacity / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Fluorometholone / administration & dosage
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Humans
  • Lasers, Excimer
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myopia / drug therapy
  • Myopia / physiopathology
  • Myopia / surgery*
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Pain, Postoperative / physiopathology
  • Photorefractive Keratectomy*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Refraction, Ocular
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity / physiology
  • Wound Healing / physiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Fluorometholone