EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY FOR MYOPIA IN CHINA - A REPORT OF 750 EYES WITH A 6-MONTH FOLLOW-UP

A total of 750 six-month follow-up records of myopia treated with exci mer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) were analyzed. By 6 months , in group 1 (up to -6.00D, 587 eyes), uncorrected visual acuity was i mproved to 20 / 20 or better in 86.7% of treated eyes and 95.4% fell i nto the range of refraction of +/- 1.00D, In group 2 (-6.25D to -11.00 D, 163 eyes), 74.5% of treated eyes had uncorrected visual acuity of 2 0 / 20 or better and 89.4% of the eyes-were within +/- 1.00D. The desi gned predictability of the two groups was the same (P > 0.1). The refr active stability from 3 to 6 months between the two groups was not sta tistically different, and no severe complications were observed in the se two groups. The excimer laser PRK for correcting myopia up to -11.0 0D appears to be effective, predictable, stable and safe in this study . The ideal outcome may result from the precise ablation quality of ex cimer laser, its computerized surgical manipulation and an appropriate postoperative management including detection of refractive indices by corneal topography and modulation by steroid.