PRK might be better for extreme myopia than LASIK

Session Details

Session Title: Photoablation Outcomes II

Session Date/Time: Wednesday 09/09/2015 | 08:00-09:30

Paper Time: 09:00

Venue: Room 1

First Author: : K.Termote CANADA

Co Author(s): :    S. Holland   D. Lin                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare one-year outcomes of extremely myopic patients between PRK and LASIK.

Setting:

Pacific Laser Eye Centre, Vancouver, Canada

Methods:

We present a retrospective, consecutive case series and chart review of 251 eyes with more than -10.00D spherical equivalent (SE) preoperatively that underwent laser refractive surgery using Allegretto Wavelight laser. 198 eyes were treated via transepithelial PRK and 53 were treated via LASIK. One year postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), manifest refraction predictability and complications were evaluated and compared.

Results:

36% (72/198) PRK patients showed UCVA ≥20/20 compared to 23% (12/53) LASIK patients. 59% (116/198) PRK patients had no change in BSCVA compared to 64% (34/53) LASIK patients, 14% of patients in both groups lost one line (28/198 and 7/53 respectively). 64% (127/198) PRK patients showed postoperative SE +/- 0.50D compared to 60% (32/53) LASIK patients. Mild complications occurred such as temporary loss of vision due to punctate keratopathy on 4% (7/198) PRK patients compared to 23% (12/53) LASIK patients, and early haze formation on 3% (5/198) PRK patients compared to 0% (0/53) LASIK patients.

Conclusions:

In extreme myopia, more patients achieved 20/20 UCVA with PRK than LASIK. However this result was not significant. PRK for extreme myopia appears to be non-inferior to LASIK with potentially higher safety.

Financial Interest:

One of the authors receives consulting fees, retainer, or contract payments from a competing company