Laser in situ keratomileusis enhancement after photorefractive keratectomy

Objective: To describe the safety, effectiveness, and predictability of las er in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for correcting residual myopia after prim ary photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Design: A retrospective, noncomparative case series. Participants and Intervention: Thirty-six consecutive eyes of 30 patients u nderwent LASIK after primary PRK A Multiscan Schwind excimer laser was used for LASIK enhancement. Main Outcome Measures: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-cor rected visual acuity, refraction, videokeratography, and complications were determined before and after LASIK retreatment. Follow-up was at least 12 m onths. Results: Before LASIK, 11.11% of eyes showed a UCVA of 20/40 or better. Thi s increased to 94.44% 12 months after LASIK A UCVA of 20/25 or better was a chieved in 0% before and in 72.22% after retreatment. Refraction +/-0.5 dio pters (spherical equivalent) represented 0% of eyes before and 77.78% of ey es after enhancement. Before LASIK, two eyes had significant haze. Haze rem ained in these two eyes and appeared in another eye. Conclusions: Laser in situ keratomileusis proved to be safe and effective f or treating residual myopia after PRK Care must be taken when considering L ASIK retreatment in patients with significant haze after primary PRK. Ophth almology 2001; 108:1423-1429 (C) 2001 by the American Academy of Ophthalmol ogy.