PURPOSE To compare corneal reepithelialization, pain scores, ocular discomfort, and tear production after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and butterfly laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK). METHODS This prospective, randomized, double-masked study comprised 102 eyes of 51 patients who underwent laser refractive surgery. Each patient was randomized to have one eye operated on with PRK and...

Over the years, mitomycin C has been used by refractive surgeons to prophylactically decrease haze after surface ablation procedures and therapeutically in the treatment of preexisting haze. Development of mitomycin C treatments has had a significant role in the revival of surface ablation techniques. We reviewed the literature regarding mechanism of action of mitomycin C, its role in modulatin...

BACKGROUND Following excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), an increase in glare sensitivity and a reduction in contrast sensitivity can occur owing to changes in the cornea (structure and topography). In this study, an attempt was made to quantify and document objectively a change in those subjective perceptual factors. METHODS Snellen visual acuity and disability glare were measur...

PURPOSE To describe the laboratory findings in patients with infectious keratitis, who underwent refractive surgery, correlating the surgical procedure and the time of infection manifestation, and the results of culture and smears. METHODS The previous samples were obtained from patients submitted to radial keratotomy (RK), photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (L...

xcimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) has been used for some years all over the world. It was introduced to Kuwait in October 1994; 621 eyes had PRK for myopia with and without astigmatic error between October 1994 and June 1996. Refractive correction was successfully achieved within ±0.50 diopters (D) in 80% of eyes. Uncorrected visual acuity of 0.8 (20/25) or better was achieved in 7...

PURPOSE To assess the determinants of early postoperative pain in photorefractive keratectomy. DESIGN A prospective cross-sectional study. METHODS One hundred and four myopic-astigmatic patients undergoing bilateral standard photorefractive keratectomy were evaluated for early postoperative pain severity. On day 1 postoperatively, the level of pain experienced was reported by the patient on...

BACKGROUND Progressive hyperopia is a common complication following radial keratotomy. METHODS Ten eyes of ten consecutive patients with hyperopia after radial keratotomy between +1.75 and +4.00 diopters (D) were treated with the hyperopia module of the Nidek Model EC-5000 excimer laser. The mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 0.38 (20/60+). RESULTS After excimer laser photorefr...

PURPOSE To compare the efficacy of oral gabapentin versus placebo for the control of severe pain after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). SETTING Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. DESIGN Randomized masked clinical trial. METHODS This single-center clinical trial comprised active-duty United States Army soldiers aged 21 years or older havi...

PURPOSE To analyse visual, refractive and topographic outcomes of combining transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK) with simultaneous corneal crosslinking for the visual rehabilitation of contact lens intolerant keratoconus patients. METHODS Patients with topographically significant keratoconus, limited corrected vision and intolerant of contact lenses were prospectively recruited,...

AIMS/BACKGROUND This study evaluated contact lens fitting and the longer term response of the photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) cornea to lens wear. In PRK for myopia problems such as regression, anterior stromal haze, irregular astigmatism, halo aberration, and anisometropia have been reported. Certain patients therefore require contact lens correction to obtain best corrected visual acuity (B...