INTRAOCULAR-PRESSURE AFTER EXCIMER-LASER PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY FOR MYOPIA

BACKGROUND: Pressure measurements after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) might be inaccurate. Measuring the pressure in the t emporal part of the cornea might give more representative results. MET HODS: Intraocular pressure was measured with the Goldmann applanation tonometer in each eye in the central and temporal parts of the cornea. Measurements were performed in a group of 64 treated eyes before trea tment as well as 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter; 35 eyes could b e followed up for 1 year. Two groups of nontreated eyes served as cont rols. The paired Student's t test was used for statistical analysis. R ESULTS: Central and temporal measurements were identical before treatm ent. After PRK, central values were 2 to 3 mm Hg lower than temporal v alues. Significant differences were observed from 1 month to 1 year of follow up (p<0.0001), CONCLUSIONS: The intraocular pressure measured in the central part of the cornea after PRK for myopia is lower than t hat measured in the corneal periphery, due probably to the absence of Bowman's layer and to central thinning.