REOPERATIONS AFTER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY FOR MODERATE AND HIGH MYOPIA

Purpose: To contribute data regarding results of reoperation with exci mer laser for the treatment of residual myopia, and to improve corneal clarity following previous photorefractive keratectomy for 'moderate' (< -9 D) and 'high' (> -9 D) myopia. Methods: Surface reablations wit h excimer laser (5 mm treatment diameter) were performed to correct re sidual myopia and remove subepithelial scars, Refraction, visual acuit y, and corneal clarity were recorded with average follow-up of one and tno years after reoperation. Results: In 27 eyes with 'moderate' myop ia before the first operation, significant improvement was obtained re garding refraction (changed from -2.3 +/- 1.56 D before retreatment to -0.58 +/- 1.31 D after retreatment (p<10(-3))),and uncorrected visual acuity (improved to greater than or equal to 0.8 in 51.8% of the case s), All cases (6 eyes) with corneal scars improved, Six eyes with 'hig h' myopia showed no improvement of refraction following reoperation, E ffects on corneal clarity were mixed in that group. Conclusion: We wer e able to improve the results of photorefractive keratectomy for 'mode rate' myopia with a second excimer laser ablation, The risks involved in retreatments of such eyes are small, In 'high' myopia, reablations with a 5 mm treatment zone did not improve the refractive outcome on a long-term basis.