Posters

Astigmatism as a risk factor for the development of corneal haze after PRK

Poster Details

First Author: M. Zivkovic SERBIA

Co Author(s):    M. Zlatanovic   G. Zlatanovic   M. Radenkovic   M. Trenkic-Bozinovic   A. Veselinovic        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a refractive surgery method that is considered irreplaceable, since it has proven to be a safe procedure for certain indications. However, there are complications associated with this method as well. One of them is the occurrence of postoperative haze. The mechanism of postoperative haze onset is explained by the fact that some keratocytes undergo transformation into myofibrioblasts as a response to wound healing following surface ablation procedures. The aim of the paper is to examine the association between preoperative astigmatism and corneal haze onset after PRK procedure.

Setting:

Examination was conducted at Eye vision center Maja-Nis, Serbia

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted, including 183 eyes in 97 patients (47 male and 50 female patients, aged 32+/-4.03 years). All the patients were myopic, with RSE (refractive spherical equivalent) less than -6.0 D, with or without astigmatism, and they underwent transepithelial PRK method (Allegreto Wave Eye-Q Laser). The patients were monitored for at least 3 months after the intervention for the occurrence of postoperative corneal haze. The surgeries and follow-up were performed in the Eye Vision Center Maja in Niš.

Results:

Postoperative corneal haze of grade I, II or III haze was registered in 8 patients. Out of them 8, six (6) patients had preoperative astigmatism greater than 1.50 D. Clinically significant postoperative haze is in correlation with preoperative astigmatism (P<0.001). In other 2 patients postoperative corneal haze risk factor was not identified.

Conclusions:

Preoperative astigmatism is a risk factor for the development of corneal haze after PRK procedure.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE