Photorefractive/photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy in low myopia and myopic astigmatism. Broad-beam versus scanning-spot laser technology

Purpose. The results of photorefractive/photoastigmatic refractive keratect omy (PRK/PARK) were compared between two patient groups treated consecutive ly with either broad-beam or scanning-spot technology. Patients and methods. PRK/PARK was performed with a broad-beam excimer lase r VISX 20/20 in 46 eyes and with the scanning-spot laser system Keracor 217 in 49 eyes. Preoperative spherical equivalent (subjective manifest refract ion) was less than or equal to -6.0 diopter in both groups. Safety, efficac y, predictability, stability, and complications were investigated after 1, 4 and 12, months postoperatively. Results. In the broad-beam laser group no eye lost two or more lines of bes t-corrected visual acuity;in the scanning-spot laser group one eye lost two lines 12 months postoperatively. Efficacy, predictability, and stability w ere comparable between the two groups. Conclusions. Both the broad-beam and the scanning-spot laser provided good results after PRK/PARK for low myopia and myopic astigmatism. This study fo und no fundamental differences between the two laser systems.