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Comparison of Ocular Surface Alterations Following Laser Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis and Photorefractive Keratectomy
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First Author: K.Tekin TURKEY
Co Author(s): M. Inanc Tekin H. Kiziltoprak R. Hekimoglu K. Ozulken
Abstract Details
Purpose:
To compare the ocular surface changes following laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
Setting:
TOBB University, ophthalmology department and Bezmialem University, histology and embryology department
Methods:
This prospective study included 17 LASIK and 20 PRK patients. Impression cytology was used to determine ocular surface changes in the preoperative period and 1 week and 1 month after PRK or LASIK. The samples were examined for changes in epithelial cell sheet, degree of squamous metaplasia, degree of keratinization, nuclear change frequency and size, goblet cell density (GCD) and morphology, mucus amount and morphology, inflammatory cell.
Results:
At the 1st month; GCD, epithelial cell sheet, degree of keratinization and squamous metaplasia in LASIK group and GCD, epithelial cell sheet, degree of keratinization in PRK group have significant changes compared to the preoperative values (p<0.05). Comparison of ocular surface parameters between 1st week and 1st month within groups showed no significant alterations in PRK group (p>0.05), whereas LASIK group showed significant improvements in GCD and epithelial cell sheet (p<0.05). In comparison between groups; while there was no significant difference in any parameter at the 1st week (p>0.05), there was significant difference in terms of GCD at 1st month.
Conclusions:
One week after LASIK and PRK, histopathological changes were observed in the perilimbal conjunctiva. Those significant changes in ocular surface persist at the first month in the PRK and LASIK groups except GCD and epithelial cell sheet for LASIK group. GCD significantly improved at LASIK group, but is still diminished compared to the preoperative values.
Financial Disclosure:
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