Just when we thought photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) had achieved a level of safety and predictability in correcting refractive errors in our patients, new wounding healing information regarding apoptosis (programmed cell death) surfaces to show us that the way we remove the corneal epithelium matters a great deal in how the corneal stroma responds to our treatment.1 Excimer laser manufacture...

PURPOSE To compare the effectiveness, safety and stability of the results of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK) with conventional photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low to moderate myopia. METHODS In this prospective non-randomized case-control study, patients with low to moderate myopia were assigned to the tPRK group (cases) or the PRK group (controls). In the tPRK group,...

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...

AIMS/BACKGROUND Since wound healing processes are known to be more rapid in those who are young, it was decided to examine the effect of patient age on refractive outcome of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS The records of 599 eyes that had undergone PRK were studied retrospectively. The eyes were categorised by baseline myopia and patient age. Spherical equivalent and corneal haze w...

PURPOSE To determine whether the nerve fiber analyzer GDx with the new variable corneal compensation (VCC) device allows measurements of retinal nerve fiber layer parameters independent from birefringence changes of the cornea after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS Retinal nerve fiber layers of 32 eyes in 32 myopic patients undergoing PRK were analyzed using the GDx-VCC. Photorefrac...

Background Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is at risk of serious complications such as corneal ectasia, which can reduce corrected distance visual acuity. The rate of complications of PRK is higher in patients with atypical topography. Objective To determine the outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy in patients with atypical topography. Methods This cross-sectional study was done in 201...

photorefractive keratectomy is a preprogrammed surface corneal refractive ablation which is aimed to reduce or eliminate myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism through the removal of the corneal surface epithelium and basement membrane and the application of excimer laser photoablation to bowman membrane and anterior stroma. the epithelium then begins to cover the wound, in direct contact with the an...

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 introduce an image analysis of the cornea in photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for preoperative and early postoperative determination of changes in the condition of the cornea. METHODS Slit-lamp videography was used to evaluate the cornea. Microdensitometry of the corneal images was performed. The optic density of the anterior, middle, and posterior corneal layers was measured. Pho...

PURPOSE To report a case of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in a patient with epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD). METHODS Interventional case report. RESULTS A 36-year-old male with clinical manifestations of EBMD underwent bilateral, simultaneous PRK for low myopia correction. A delay (up to 17 days) in the epithelial healing process with unstable epithelium was ...