Photorefractive keratectomy for myopia with the meditec MEL 70(G-Scan) flying spot laser

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, predictability, stability, and safety of the Meditec MEL 70(G-Scan) flying spot excimer laser. METHODS: One hundred thirty myopic eyes were treated with the Aesculap Medi tec Mel 70(G-Scan) ArF flying spot excimer Laser with photorefractive kerat ectomy (PRK). Patient groups: low myopia (Group 1) from -1.50 to -6.00 D (9 0 eyes), medium myopia (Group 2) from -6.10 to -9.00 D (31 eyes), high myop ia (Group 3) from -9.10 to -14.00 D (9 eyes). RESULTS: At 12 months in the low myopia group, uncorrected visual acuity (U CVA) of 20/40 or better was achieved in 95.5% (86 eyes), 20/20 or better in 77.7% (70 eyes); 2.2% (two eyes) lost two or more lines of best spectacle- corrected visual acuity (BSCVA); 73.3% (66 eyes) were within +/-0.50 D of t he target correction and 98.8% (89 eyes) were within +/-1.00 D. In the medi um myopia group, UCVA of 20/40 or better was achieved in 74.2% (23 eyes), 2 0/20 or better in 25.8% (eight eyes); 3.2% (one eye) lost two lines, 61% (1 9 eyes) were within +/-0.50 D of desired correction and 83.8% (26 eyes) wer e within +/-1.00 D. In the high myopia group, UCVA of 20/40 or better was a chieved in 22.2% (two eyes); 20/25 or better in 11.1% tone eye); none of th e eyes achieved 20/20 UCVA; 22.2% (two eyes) lost two lines of BSCVA; 44.4% (four eyes) were within +/-0.50 D and 66.6% (six eyes) were within +/-1.00 D of the target correction. Refractive stability was achieved between 3 an d 6 months. Increased intraocular pressure was detected overall in 7.69%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of predictability, safety, and efficacy in low and medium myopia with the Meditec MEL 70(G-Scan) flying spot excimer laser we re good, but poorer predictability, regression, and a significant loss of B SCVA were observed in the high myopia group.