Excimer laser treatment for high and extreme myopia. The Melbourne Excimer Laser and Research Group.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The excimer laser allows the controlled ablation of corneal tissue to correct refractive error. We assessed the efficacy of excimer laser treatment for persons with high (spherical equivalent between -5 and -10 diopters) and extreme (spherical equivalent greater than -10D) myopia.

METHODS:

Patients were assessed 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. A VisX Twenty/Twenty laser was used. Visual acuity, refraction, corneal clarity, and adverse reactions were evaluated at each visit.

RESULTS:

Six month follow-up data were available for 194 high myopes and 53 extreme myopes. Postoperative healing was similar for the two groups. Six months postoperatively, 89.2% of high myopes and 49% of extreme myopes were within 2D of planned refraction. At 6 months, 28% of high myopes had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 and 71% had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40. Of extreme myopes, 4% had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 and 30% had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40. Significantly more corneal haze was observed in the extreme myopes. Loss of 2 or more lines of best corrected visual acuity was observed in 13% of high myopes and 13% of extreme myopes at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy is an alternative means of treating high and extreme myopia and can cause a significant reduction in myopia. There is a need to gather further information as more patients are followed up for greater time.

• Authors: C A Carson, H R Taylor
• Journal: Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) (Arch Ophthalmol) Vol. 113 Issue 4 Pg. 431-6 (Apr 1995) ISSN: 0003-9950 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7710391 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Astigmatism (etiology)
• Cornea (physiology, surgery)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Laser Therapy (adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Myopia (classification, physiopathology, surgery)
• Postoperative Complications
• Prognosis
• Refraction, Ocular
• Visual Acuity