One-year Results of Photorefractive KeratectomyWith and Without Surface Smoothing Using theTechnolas 217C Laser
Sebastiano Serrao, MD, PhD; Marco Lombardo, MD
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Date:
27/03/2007
PURPOSE:
To assess the efficacy, predictability, stability, and safety of a smoothing technique in
patients with myopia immediately after photorefractive
keratectomy (PRK) using a scanning-spot excimer laser.
METHODS: Using the Technolas 217C excimer laser, PRK was performed on 100 eyes of
54 patients. Ablation zone diameter was 6.0 mm and transition zone diameter was 9.0 mm. The eyes
were randomized into two groups: in 50 eyes PRK alone was performed and in the other 50 eyes, a
smoothing technique was performed after the initial ablation. Preoperative mean spherical equivalent
refraction was -4.98 ± 1.71 D in the PRK only group (range -2.25 to -8.60 D) and -4.82 ± 1.61 D in
the smoothing group (range -2.00 to -8.00 D). Followup
was 12 months for all patients.
RESULTS: At 1 year after surgery, mean manifest spherical equivalent refraction was -0.61 ± 0.50 D
(range -2.25 to +0.62 D) in the PRK only group and in the smoothing group, +0.02 ± 0.32 D (range -0.75
to +0.75 D). Postoperative regularity topographic indices were lower in the smoothing group than in
the PRK group (P<.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Smoothing after PRK for correction of myopia up to -6.50 D increased surface
regularity, as expressed by lower topography surface
regularity indices, and reduced the incidence and severity of postoperative haze. We observed
higher predictability throughout follow-up in the
smoothing group, which may be addressed by a nomogram adjustment in the PRK only group.
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