Improving immediate PRK outcomes through evolution!

Session Details

Session Title: Advanced Surface Photoablation

Session Date/Time: Tuesday 10/10/2017 | 09:00-10:20

Paper Time: 09:06

Venue: Room 4.1

First Author: : D.Lin CANADA

Co Author(s): :    S. Holland   J. Hogden   S. Mosquera   N. Davey           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a commonly performed laser refractive procedure to address refractive error in patients often seeking improved unaided visual acuity and spectacle and/or contact lens independence. Delayed recovery time and post-operative pain issues have previously been negative attributes associated with this procedure. However as newer laser technology enters the market we are seeing much more rapid visual recovery in patients. The safety profile of PRK in terms of stability against mechanical trauma and arguably against ectasia mean that this technology becomes more enduring most likely. Improving visual recovery time increases asset of this treatment modality.

Setting:

surgeons, with the Schwind Amaris 1050 using SmarSurfACE/SmartPulse technology, Schwind Amaris 1050 and Wavelight Allegretto laser platforms at the Pacific Laser Eye Centre, Vancouver, Canada.

Methods:

A retrospective study was performed analyzing immediate PRK outcomes (within 30 minutes of treatment) in 815 patients having undergone transepithelial PRK for myopia using one of two laser platforms Schwind Amaris 1050 with and without SmartSurfACE/SmartPulse technology and the Wavelight Allegretto laser. Patients were fitted with a bandage contact lens immediately post treatment and the unaided visual acuity was assessed within 30 minutes post-treatment. The rapidity of visual recovery was not considered a surrogate marker for eventual visual outcome by the clinicians or researchers.

Results:

The Schwind Amaris 1050 SmartSurfACE/SmartPulse (n=723), had the most impressive visual recovery. Within 30 minutes of treatment 50% of patients were 20/40 or better and 97% were 20/100 or better. 18% of patients were 20/30 or better. Treatments with the Schwind Amaris 1050 (n=48), revealed less rapid visual recovery. At the same post-operative time point, 7% of patients were 20/40 or better and 77% were 20/100 or better. Finally the Wavelight Allegretto (n=44) revealed even less rapid visual recovery. No patients were 20/40 or better within 30minutes post-operatively, 42% were 20/100 or better and 100% were 20/400 or better.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the impressive visual recovery that can be achieved with the latest laser platforms when performing transepithelial PRK. It is our belief that it is the evolution of ablations algorithms and beam technology that is at forefront of such improvements in visual recovery. Further to this we feel that the speed of visual recovery is likely to become another positive attribute associated with transepithelial PRK treatments. We hope that our experience and this study on visual recovery will further equip the Ophthalmic community to thoroughly counsel pre-operative refractive patients and guide clinical decision making

Financial Disclosure:

is employed by a forNONEprofit company with an interest in the subject of the presentation, travel has been funded, fully or partially, by a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented, receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a company producing, developing or supplying the product or procedure presented