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Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy for low to moderate myopia in comparison with conventional photorefractive keratectomy

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First Author: I.Solomatin LATVIA

Co Author(s):    J. Gertnere   I. Balode   A. Solomatin   M. Solomatin           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare the effectiveness, safety and stability of the results of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK) with conventional photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low to moderate myopia.

Setting:

Dr. Solomatin Eye Center, Latvian University, Riga, Latvija.

Methods:

In this prospective non-randomized case-control study, patients with low to moderate myopia were assigned to the tPRK group (cases) or the PRK group (controls). In the tPRK group, eyes were treated using the Mel-90 excimer laser ( Zeiss-Meditec GmbH , Germany). Outcome measures included postoperative pain using McGill Pain Questionnaire, epithelial healing time, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), manifest refraction, and safety and efficacy indexes which were compared between the study groups.

Results:

120 eyes of 60 patients were enrolled in this study.There was a significant difference between the two groups regarding the postoperative pain scores in favor of the tPRK group (P = 0.04). The tPRK group had a shorter epithelial healing time than the conventional PRK group postoperatively (P = 0.01). Mean UCVA was significantly better in the tPRK group than in the control group at the postoperative month 2 (P = 0.01). Regarding the safety and efficacy indexes, the tPRK group had better results than the conventional PRK group (P = 0.01 for both comparisons).

Conclusions:

Transepithelial PRK with Mel-90 excimer laser, seems to be superior to conventional PRK for treatment of low to moderate myopia in terms of postoperative pain, epithelial healing time, visual recovery and safety and efficacy indexes

Financial Disclosure:

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