PHOTOREFRACTIVE KERATECTOMY FOR MYOPIA - ONE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP IN 97 EYES

We made a comprehensive study of 97 eyes that received photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia and followed them for one year. In 95 ey es, uncorrected visual acuity improved and best-corrected acuity remai ned unchanged. In eyes with myopia of more than -3.0 diopters (D), the postoperative refraction was within -1.0 D of attempted correction. P redictability decreased with higher myopia. We also examined the chang es of both epithelium and endothelium with the specular microscope and found no significant changes after photorefractive keratectomy. Video keratography showed an average of inferior decentration in most eyes b y 0.51 mm +/- 0.31 (n=60); only one clinical problem was noted-one eye experienced monocular diplopia for seven months. Pachometry showed a small percentage had corneal thinning-the amount depended on the degre e of myopia. A rise in intraocular pressure over 21 mm Hg was observed in 8.9% of eyes but it was controlled without surgery. Haze was obser ved in most eyes, but faded gradually without significant problems. Re duced contrast sensitivity in night vision was noted and some patients experienced glare. Day vision contrast sensitivity was related to cor neal haze.