Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for hyperopia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) has been extens ively evaluated for the correction of myopia. This study was undertaken to assess the safety, efficacy, and reliability of PRK in the correction of hy peropia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: There were 28 eyes with refractions of +1 to +7.75 D treated for hyperopia with the Chiron Technolas 217-C excimer laser. Thorou gh visual assessments were made before treatment and at regular follow-up t o 18 months. Complications and patient satisfaction were noted. RESULTS: At 18 months the mean subjective refraction was +0.45+/-1.00 D wit h 26 eyes (92.8%) within 1 D of emmetropia. Thirteen eyes (46.4%) achieved uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/20 or better and all patients had an UCVA of greater than or equal to 20/32 or better. Best corrected visual ac uity (BCVA) remained unchanged in 26 eyes (92.8%) and improved in 2 eyes (7 .2%). On the seventh day from treatment, 17 eyes (25%) had a loss of 2 or m ore lines of BCVA. At 15 days this was reduced to 8 eyes (14.3%) and at one month to 3 eyes (3.6%). There were no cases of loss of 2 or more lines of BCVA at 18 months of follow-up. All patients expressed a high degree of sat isfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Photorefractive keratectomy safely and effectively reduced hyp eropia in the patients studied. The technique was reliable and still offere d good results at 18 months of follow-up.