EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY FOR MYOPIA - 2-YEAR FOLLOW-UP

We evaluated the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with an excimer laser on 45 consecutive myopic eyes (23 patients) that were followed two years or more. The myopic range was from -2.00 diopters (D) to -6.00 D with astigmatism less than 1.50 D. Uncorrected visual acuity better than 20/25 was achieved in 88.9% of all cases two years postoperatively. Best corrected visual acuity was equal to or better than preoperatively in 95.6% of eyes. The difference between the attempted and achieved correction was within +/-1.00 D in 91.1% two years postoperatively. Keratometric readings and central corneal thickness showed a gradual restoration until six months postoperatively and then stabilized. The cornea was clear in 66.7% of the eyes. The most common subjective complaint was decreased night vision two years after PRK. From our experience, excimer laser PRK is a predictable and effective surgical method to correct myopia up to -6.00 D in a single-step procedure.