EFFECT OF MYOPIC EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY ON THE ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC FUNCTION OF THE RETINA AND OPTIC-NERVE

Purpose: To assess by electrophysiologic testing the effect of photore fractive keratectomy (PRK) on the retina and optic nerve. Setting: Eye Clinic, S. Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila University, Italy. Methods: S tandard pattern electroretinograms (P-ERGs) and standard pattern visua l evoked potentials (P-VEPs) were done in 25 eyes of 25 patients who h ad myopic PRK for an attempted correction between 5.00 and 15.00 diopt ers (D) (mean 8.00 D). Testing was done preoperatively and 3, 6, 12, a nd 18 months postoperatively. The contralateral eyes served as control s. During the follow-up, 3 patients (12%) developed steroid-induced el evated intraocular pressure (IOP) that resolved after corticosteroid t herapy was discontinued. Results: No statistically significant differe nces were seen between treated and control eyes nor between treated ey es preoperatively and postoperatively. Conclusion: Myopic excimer lase r PRK did not seem to affect the posterior segment. The transient ster oid-induced IOP rise did not seem to cause functional impairment.