Clinical Outcomes In Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy With The Phototherapeutic Keratectomy

1. Ik Hee Ryu
2.Yoon Hee Kim
3.Hun Yang
4.Eun Young Cho
5.Hee Kyung Lee
6.Jin Kuk Kim

BS Clean Vision Eye Center, Seoul, Korea

Purpose: To evaluate epithelial healing, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), and corneal haze after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK), comparing with photorefractive keratectomy assisted with rotary-brush (aPRK) in a single excimer-laser platform (Wavelight Allegretto-Q 400Hz, Alcon, USA)

Methods: Seventy three patients (146 eyes) had underwent tPRK and 58 patients (116 eyes) by aPRK. The clinical outcomes of the two groups were compared retrospectively. PTK and PRK were performed in a single excimer laser platform (Allegretto-Q 400 Hz, Alcon, USA). Reepithelization was evaulated in every 24 hours. Regular follow-up was performed in 1,3,6 and 12 month postoperatively to evaluate visual acuity (V/A), manifested refraction and corneal haze.

Results: No significant difference was observed in preoperative characteristics of patients in both groups. Complete reepithelization of cornea was observed in 2.03 ± 0.18 days in tPRK group and 2.03 ± 0.16 days in aPRK respectively. A year follow-up showed faster stabilization of postoperative refractive errors in tPRK group where 0.05 ± 0.42 diopters(D)in tPRK group and 0.42 ±0.62 diopters(D) in aPRK group were checked at 1 month postoperatively and maintained throughout follow up period. Corneal haze was checked as 0.12 ± 0.33 and 0.31 ± 0.64 (p=0.002) respectively where tPRK group showed a statistical significance.

Conclusions: Reepithelization time and refractive errors at 1 year after operation showed no difference between two groups regardless of epithelial removing technique. But in tPRK guoup, clinical outcomes involving stabilization of postoperative refractive errors and corneal haze showed better results up to a year.