Surgical outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy and laser in situ keratomileusis by inexperienced surgeons

Purpose: To investigate the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) an d laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedures performed by novice ophth almologists and compare the results with those of experienced refractive su rgeons. Setting: Doheny Eye institute, University of Southern California, Los Angel es, and Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, Cali fornia, USA. Methods: In this retrospective case series, data were examined from the fir st PRK procedures by 33 consecutive ophthalmologists and the first LASIK pr ocedures by 19 consecutive ophthalmologists. Preoperative and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best spectacle-corrected visual acuit y (BSCVA), as well as intraoperative and early postoperative complications, were recorded. Results: In the PRK group, 33.3% of eyes achieved a UCVA of 20/20 and 87.8% , 20/40 or better; 54.5% were within +/-0.5 diopter (D) of emmetropia and 8 7.8%, within +/-1.0 D. Two eyes with a preoperative spherical equivalent of greater than -11.0 D lost 2 lines of BSCVA, If eyes with low myopia (less than or equal to -65 D) only were included, 40.7% achieved a UCVA of 20/20 and 96.3%, 20/40 or better. In the LASIK group, 52.6% achieved a UCVA of 20 /20 and 84.2%, 20/40 or better; 78.9% were within +/-0.5 D of emmetropia an d 89.5%, +/-1.0 D. No eye in the LASIK group lost 2 or more lines of BSCVA. Conclusions Photorefractive keratectomy and LASIK are reasonably safe proce dures that can be learned quickly by ophthalmic surgeons. Our data suggest that results achieved by beginning surgeons are comparable to those reporte d by experienced surgeons. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26:510-515 (C) 200 0 ASCRS and ESCRS.