Photorefractive keratectomy for visual rehabilitation of anisometropia induced by retinal detachment surgery

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of unilateral photorefractive keratectomy to correct anisometropia induced by retinal detachment surgery. METHODS: Photorefractive keratectomy was performed in 10 eyes of 10 patient s with anisometropia induced by previous retinal detachment surgery The Aes culap Meditec MEL 60 excimer laser was used. RESULTS: Preoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction was -5.20 D. Mea n postoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -0.25 D after a mean fo llow-up of 12.9 months. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction d ifference between two eyes of 4.87 D was decreased to a mean 0.60 D postope ratively (t-test, P < .0001). All patients were free of anisometropic sympt oms after laser surgery. CONCLUSION: Unilateral photorefractive keratectomy seems to be an effective method to correct anisometropia induced by conventional retinal detachment surgery, especially for patients with spectacle and contact lens intoleran ce.