Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for low to moderate myopia using a 5.0 mm treatment zone and no transitional zone: 16-year follow-up

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) 16 years postoperatively. Setting Refractive Laser Suite, Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Design Cohort study. Methods Myopic PRK was performed using the UV200 excimer laser with a 5.0 mm ablation zone. The following were evaluated in patients returning 16 years postoperatively: refractive stability, refractive predictability, corrected visual acuity, corneal haze, and subjective patient symptoms (eg, glare, halos). Results Most of the 120 eyes (80 patients) were followed for 2 years or more; 23 patients (39 eyes) were followed for 16 years. Preoperatively, the spherical equivalent (SE) ranged from −1.75 to −7.25 diopters (D) and astigmatism from 0.00 to 1.50 D. At 2 years, the mean SE was −0.25 D and at 16 years, −0.58 D. Overall, 31 eyes (79.5%) were within ±1.00 D of emmetropia, with 6 eyes (15.4%) between 1.00 D and 2.00 D and 2 eyes (5.1%) between 2.00 D and 3.00 D. The final uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 27 eyes (69.2%) and 20/30 or better in 36 eyes (92.3%). Eight eyes (20.5%) lost 1 line of corrected distance visual acuity. Four eyes (10.3%) had visible haze and 7 eyes (17.9%) had hemosiderin. All patients stated they would have the procedure again. Conclusion Photorefractive keratectomy was safe and effective in the treatment of myopia up to −7.00 D, and all patients reported being satisfied. There appeared to be slight regression over the follow-up period. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.