Comparison of mechanical and transepithelial debridement during photorefractive keratectomy

Objective: Comparison of clinical results from mechanical and transepitheli al debridement during photorefractive keratectomy. Design Randomized, prospective study. Participants: Two hundred seventy-eight eyes in 173 patients between Novemb er 1995 and June 1997, Intervention: Photorefractive keratectomy treatments with a Summit Omnimed excimer laser (6-mm), Clinical results were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months. Main Outcomes Measures: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-co rrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean spherical equivalent (MSE), astigmatism corneal haze, and subjective vision (day, night, glare, and halo). Results: At all postoperative intervals, no significant difference was pres ent between mean values of MSE, haze, or any subjective parameters, For mea n UCVA, BCVA, and astigmatism values, a significant difference (P < 0.05) w as present only at 6 months. At all postoperative intervals, mechanical val ues tended to be superior to transepithelial valves. Conclusion: Clinical results were not statistically different between the t wo techniques; however, the mechanical technique tended to have superior va lues for almost all tested parameters.