Long-term results of excimer laser procedure to correct astigmatic refractive errors.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term efficacy, safety, stability, and predictability of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) as treatment of astigmatism.

MATERIAL/METHODS:

Ninety-four eyes of 52 patients, treated with PRK for compound myopic astigmatism, compound hyperopic astigmatism, and mixed astigmatism were studied during a 36-month period. Main outcome measures were uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity (UCVA, BCVA), refraction, and corneal transparency. Astigmatism correction was analyzed by a power vector method.

RESULTS:

In myopic astigmatism group (42 eyes), postoperative UCVA was 20/40 or better in 100% of eyes, 20/25 or better in 38 eyes out of 42 (90.5%), and 20/20 or better in 25/42 eyes (59.5%). No eye lost lines of the BCVA, 40/42 (95.2%) eyes had refraction within ± 1D and 37/42 (88.1%) within ± 0.50 D. In the hyperopic astigmatism group (28 eyes), the UCVA was 20/40 or better in 100% of eyes, 20/25 or better in 26/28 eyes (92.8%), and 20/20 or better in 24/28 eyes (85.7%); 1/28 eyes (3.6%) lost 1 line of the BCVA, 23/28 eyes (82.1%) were within ± 1D, and 21/28 (75%) were within ± 0.50D. In the mixed astigmatism group (24 eyes), the UCVA was 20/40 or better in 100% of eyes, 20/25 or better in 22/24 eyes (91.7%) and 20/20 in 15/24 (62.5%) eyes. No eye lost lines of BCVA, 23/24 eyes (95.8%) were within 1.0 D, and 20/24 eyes (83.3%) were within 0.50 D of defocus refraction. Power vector analysis showed a significant reduction of blurring strength in all examined groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

PRK is a safe and effective procedure for correction of all types of astigmatism, with good stability and efficacy at 3-year follow-up.

• Authors: Anna M Roszkowska, Letteria De Grazia, Alessandro Meduri, Edward Wylegala, Pasquale Aragona
• Journal: Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research (Med Sci Monit) Vol. 19 Pg. 927-33 (Nov 04 2013) ISSN: 1643-3750 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24185613 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Astigmatism (surgery)
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lasers, Excimer (therapeutic use)
• Photorefractive Keratectomy (methods, trends)
• Retrospective Studies
• Treatment Outcome
• Visual Acuity (physiology)