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AIM--To determine the relation between epithelial hyperplasia and regression of effect after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS--Seventy unilaterally treated patients with PRK were examined. All eyes had been treated with the Summit excimer laser 27 (SD 7) months previously with zone diameters of 4.1 to 5.0 mm. The untreated fellow eyes served as controls. Epithelial thickness was measured centrally with a thin slit optical pachometer and manifest subjective refraction was performed. RESULTS--The epithelium was 21% thicker in the treated eye (p < 0.0001). The relation between refractive regression and epithelial hyperplasia was significant (r = 0.41; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS--Epithelial hyperplasia after PRK correlated with the myopic shift (including hyperopia reduction) after treatment with the Summit laser. A model is proposed suggesting that both subepithelial and epithelial layers contribute to regression in the Summit treated eyes with 18 microns of epithelial hyperplasia contributing each dioptre of regression. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Excimer laser refractive surgery alters the shape and thickness of the cornea by removing central corneal tissue with submicrometer precision. The aim of the study was to analyze the changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) and curvature before and after different excimer laser photorefractive procedures and their possible impact on intraocular pressure (IOP) estimations with Goldmann applanation tonometry., Methods: Data on CCT, corneal curvature and IOP readings with Goldmann applanation tonometry before and after excimer laser photorefractive surgery were analyzed retrospectively. The data was further analyzed separately in two subgroups; the photorefractive keratectomy /laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (PRK/LASEK) group and the laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) group., Results: The overall post-operative IOP readings were significantly lower than pre-operative values. There was a significant difference in the lowering of the IOP readings between the two subgroups: LASIK caused a lower IOP reading than PRK/LASEK., Conclusion: The change in corneal thickness and curvature affects the estimation of IOP with Goldmann applanation tonometry after excimer laser photorefractive surgery. The amount of reduction in IOP reading might be influenced by the specific laser surgical procedure. This is of clinical importance in the evaluation of any future glaucoma in the increasing number of patients who undergo photorefractive laser surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the refractive results of 800 hyperopic eyes undergoing PRK treatment., Methods: Eight hundred hyperopic eyes were treated with PRK. An Aesculap-Meditec MEL 60 scanning ArF excimer laser used. Treatment Group 1 consisted of eyes with a preoperative refractive error of +3.50 D or less (n = 482) and Group 2, of +3.75 D or more (n = 318)., Results: Preoperatively, Group 1 required an average correction of +2.88+/-1.34 D and Group 2 required +5.64+/-2.96 D. One year after PRK, average residual correction was +1.26+/-1.24 D in Group 1, and in Group 2, +2.46+/-1.84 D. In Group 1, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/40 or better in 88.4% (426/482); 20/20 or better in 75.7% (365); 2.1% (10/482) of eyes lost 2 lines, 2.1% (10/482) gained 2 lines; 3.1% (15/482) gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA; 74.4% (359/482) of eyes were within +/-0.50 D of target correction and 84.8% (408/482) were within +/-1.00 D. In Group 2, 47.5% (151/318) had UCVA of 20/40 or better; 34.2% (109/318) saw 20/20 or better uncorrected; 19.1% (61/318) lost 2 lines; 11.6% (37/318) lost 3 lines; none of the eyes gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA; 22.3% (71/318) were within +/-0.50 D and 46.8% (149/318) were within +/-1.00 D of target correction. Refractive stability was achieved after 6 months; a slight regression after 6 months was still observed. In Group 1, 10.5% (42/482) and in Group 2, 21.6% (69/318) complained of problems with daytime vision (glare and ghost image); during night-driving in Group 1, 17.6% (85/482) and in Group 2, 40.5% (129/318) had problems., Conclusion: PRK with the Aesculap-Meditec MEL 60 scanning ArF excimer laser offered the best long-term results with +3.50 D or less preoperative refractive error. With higher corrections, regression, decrease in BSCVA, and daytime visual problems were encountered.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of reoperation following photorefractive keratectomy related to different techniques., Material and Methods: 265 retreated eyes were divided into 5 groups; low to moderate myopia, high myopia, enlargement, abrasion, and non-compliance. The low to moderate group was further subdivided into 5 categories based on the surgical approach of the reoperation. Outcomes were compared at 12 months after reoperation., Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the median refraction prior to initial PRK, before reoperation, and after reoperation between the 5 categories 66%, of all reoperated patients achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better after 12 months. 72% had a postoperative refraction between +/- 1 diopter. The other 4 groups were not statistically analyzed due to the wide variety of patients included and non-compliance., Conclusion: In low to moderate myopes, approximately 97% achieve uncorrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better following PRK, including one reoperation.

Purpose: To determine the effect of patient age, postoperative time, ablation zone diameter and depth, attempted correction, and corneal topography on postoperative corneal epithelial thickness after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK)., Setting: Private clinic and university hospital, Stockholm, Sweden., Methods: This retrospective, unmasked study comprised 136 myopic patients treated unilaterally with PRK. Seventy eyes had been treated with the Summit excimer laser 27 months +/- 7 (SD) earlier using ablation zone diameters of 4.1 to 5.0 mm. Sixty-six eyes had been treated with the VISX excimer laser 6 +/- 3 months earlier using a 6.0 mm zone diameter. The untreated fellow eyes served as controls. Epithelial thickness was measured at a standardized central corneal area with a modified optical pachymeter, and corneal topography was determined using computerized videokeratoscopy., Results: In the Summit group, the epithelial layer in the PRK eyes was 12.0 microns (21%) thicker than in the control eyes (P < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.35 to 14.3 microns). This thickness differential correlated significantly with increased ablation depth and attempted correction. In the VISX group, the epithelium in the treated eyes was 7.0 microns (7%) thinner (P = .0009; 95% CI -1.9 to -6.7 microns) and thickness did not correlate with ablation depth or attempted correction. There was no correlation between epithelial hyperplasia and patient age or postoperative follow-up. With the laser groups combined, epithelial hyperplasia was greater with smaller zone sizes and a greater rate of change in power at the edge of the ablation zone., Conclusion: The factors associated with an increase in epithelial thickness were small ablation zones, greater attempted corrections, and deeper ablations. Larger, smoother ablation profiles may result in less epithelial hyperplasia.

Purpose: The aim of the retrospective study was to evaluate the algorithms and the surgical performance of two excimer lasers; the VISX 20/20 and the Summit Omnimed., Methods: Twenty patients were treated with the VISX-laser and 20 with the Summit-laser. The indications were myopia between -1 to -6 diopters which also allowed correction of astigmatism up to -2 in the VISX patients group. The treatment diameter was 6 mm and the follow-up time was 12 months. The parameters studied were visual acuity uncorrected and corrected, contrast sensitivity in light, dark and glare, endothelial cell count, corneal topography, and subjective estimation of dark vision problems., Results: Both groups showed the same median refraction, -0.3 diopters. All the Summit patients had uncorrected visual acuity of 0.7 or better. In the VISX group 17 patients saw > or = 0.7 uncorrected and all patients saw 0.5 or better s.c. The remaining result parameters showed no statistical differences between the two groups., Conclusion: The study does not lend conclusive support for any difference between the results obtained by the two lasers.

Purpose: To evaluate the differences in epithelial wound healing following photorefractive keratectomy when performed with the Summit UV 200 LA and the VISX 20/20 excimer lasers., Methods: Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups. One group was treated with the Summit laser and the other group treated with the VISX 20/20 laser. The treatment consisted of a -6.00 diopter photorefractive keratectomy with a 5-mm diameter treatment zone. Epithelial wound healing was followed by photography at 4 hour intervals for 64 hours. The length of the wound edge and the size, shape, and closure time of the wound were measured., Results: The median wound edge length at 4 hours was 18.3 mm for the Summit laser and 16.7 mm for the VISX laser. The median wound size at 4 hours was 22.0 mm2 for the Summit and 21.2 mm2 for the VISX. The median wound closure time was 53.4 hours for the Summit laser and 54.0 hours for the VISX laser., Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in the epithelial healing of rabbit corneal wounds created by photorefractive keratectomy when performed with two current ophthalmic excimer lasers, the Summit UV 200 LA and the VISX 20/20.

Epithelial hyperplasia has been found to occur after photorefractive keratectomy in eyes treated with small (5 mm or less) ablation zone diameters with the Summit laser, but not with large zones (6 mm) with the VISX laser (Gauthier et al. 1995a). The aim of this study was to further investigate the effect of surgical parameters on epithelial hyperplasia by comparing eyes treated with the same zone diameter but two different lasers. We examined 11 subjects who had photorefractive keratectomy for myopia performed with 5 mm ablation zones with the Summit excimer laser in one eye and the VISX 20/20 laser in the fellow eye an average of 21 months previously. Epithelial thickness and corneal topography were measured. The mean epithelial thickness was not statistically different (p = 0.083) between the eyes treated with the Summit (66 +/- 12 microns) and VISX (60 +/- 14 microns) lasers. Postoperative corneal dioptric power showed a similar profile between the two eyes at the edge of the zone, with the VISX-treated corneas being more shallow centrally. There was a trend towards greater epithelial thickness with deeper ablations. This study supports the hypothesis that epithelial hyperplasia is dependent on ablation zone diameter and ablation depth.

Background and Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the refractive outcome 36 months following excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) performed on myopic eyes. We analyzed the refractive stability between 24 and 36 months., Patients and Methods: PRK was performed on 457 eyes with a pre-operative refraction ranging from -1.25 to -7.50 diopters (D). Ablation zone diameters of 4.3 to 4.5 mm were used. The follow up time was 36 months., Results: The mean refraction 36 months following surgery was -0.22 to 0.75 D for the whole group, which was not significantly different from the mean at 24 months (-0.27 +0.74D). If we analyze the subgroups at 36 months, we find a significantly better refractive outcome in the low myopia group (up to -2.90D) compared with those with higher myopia. At 36 months, 91% of the 456 eyes had an uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/40, and 88% of the eyes were within 1.00 D of emmetropia., Conclusion: These results show stability between 24 and 36 months.

Background and Objective: One hundred thirteen eyes were treated with photoastigmatic keratectomy using the VISX 20/20 excimer laser. The results were evaluated after 1 year., Patients and Methods: The patients were divided into 2 groups, low astigmatism group with less than 2.00 diopters (D) of pre-operative astigmatism, the second group having 2.00 D or more., Results: Astigmatism was reduced by 43.9% in the low astigmatic group and by 71.7% in the high astigmatic group. Eighty percent of the eyes in the low astigmatic group and 90% in the high astigmatic group achieved an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 (0.5) or better. Eighty-four percent in the low astigmatic group and 80% in the high astigmatic group were within +/- 1.00 D in spherical equivalent results. The mean spherical equivalent results were about -0.45 D in both groups using this algorithm., Conclusion: The results are very promising at this early stage of algorithm development.

This study was conducted to evaluate the subjective response of patients who underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia with the Summit Technology UV 200 LA excimer laser (Summit Technology, Inc., Waltham, Mass.) (3.5 to 5.0 mm diameter ablation zone) 36 months previously. One-hundred thirteen patients with preoperative myopia between -1.50 diopters (D) and -6.50 D with an ablation diameter of 3.5 mm to 5.0 mm answered a questionnaire at the 36-month examination. Sixty-two percent of patients had both eyes treated. Halo problems were experienced always by 34% of patients in the group, 26% sometimes, and 40% never. Permanent night vision problems were experienced by 40%; 30% reported them sometimes and 30% reported no problems at all. Sixty percent never needed to use glasses after treatment, 30% sometimes did, and 10% always wore glasses. Seventy percent of patients thought the results were very good; the remaining 30% experienced different degrees of halo and night vision problems.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the refractive outcome and the stability of refraction after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Forty-five eyes were treated in three different refractive groups: low myopes, 23 eyes, -1.50 diopters (D) to -6.00 D; intermediate myopes, 14 eyes, -6.10 D to -10.00 D; and high myopes, 8 eyes, -10.10 D to -18.00 D. At 9 months after surgery the low myopes had a mean refraction of -0.14 D (range -1.00 D to + 1.50 D) and were easy to refract. Intermediate myopes mean refraction was +0.14 D (range -1.50 D to +2.50 D). In the high myope group the mean refraction was -0.47 D (range -10.00 D to +2.50 D) and four eyes (50%) lost more than two lines of spectacle corrected visual acuity. Refraction the high myopes was more difficult compared to the lower myopes. PRK produced good results for myopes from -1.50 D to -10.00 D. Myopes greater than -10.00D are not stable at 9 months after PRK and are difficult to refract.

Background: A retrospective observational study was conducted to test the hypothesis that there is clinically measurable epithelial hyperplasia after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), and to determine its effect on the epithelial oxygen uptake rate., Methods: One hundred myopic eyes who had been previously treated unilaterally with PRK were examined. Fifty eyes were treated with the Summit excimer laser (Summit Technology, Waltham, Mass) 27 +/- 7 months previously with ablation zone diameters of 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, or 5.0 mm. Fifty eyes were treated with the VISX excimer laser (VISX Inc, Sunnyvale, Calif) 5 +/- 4 months previously with one ablation zone diameter of 6.0 mm. The untreated eyes served as controls. Epithelial thickness was measured at a standardized central area within the ablation zone with a modified optical pachometer. Oxygen uptake rate was measured in a subgroup of 30 eyes (20 Summit and 10 VISX)., Results: The epithelium after PRK was 24% thicker than in the control eye in the Summit group (mean difference 13 +/- 10 microns; p < .01) and 7% thinner in the VISX group (mean difference -4 +/- 10 microns; p < .01). A higher oxygen uptake rate correlated with a thicker epithelium (r = 0.42; p < .05)., Conclusions: The epithelium was significantly thicker after PRK between 13 and 37 months after treatment with the Summit excimer laser using ablation zone diameters of 4.1 to 5.0 mm. The epithelium was thinner between 1 and 15 months after treatment with the VISX laser using an ablation zone diameter of 6.0 mm. An increase in oxygen uptake rate reflected the metabolic rate of a greater number of cells in the hyperplastic layer.

Purpose: To evaluate the 24-month refractive outcome of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) performed on normal, sighted myopic eyes; and to assess the evolution of postoperative refraction, the accuracy of predicted correction, and the results in terms of uncorrected visual acuity., Methods: Photorefractive keratectomy was performed on 495 eyes, with a preoperative refraction ranging from -1.25 to -7.50 diopters (D). Ablation zone diameters of 4.3 and 4.5 mm were used. All patients were treated with a standard topical steroid regimen postoperatively. Minimum follow-up time was 24 months., Results: Mean refraction (spherical equivalent +/- standard deviation) at 24 months was -0.27 +/- 0.74 D, which was significantly (P < 0.01) different from the mean at 12 months (0.01 +/- 0.78 D). There was also a significant (P = 0.01) difference between the 12- and 18-month (-0.15 +/- 0.82 D) mean refractions. But there was no significant difference between the means at 18 and 24 months postoperatively. Subgroup analysis at 24 months showed that patients with low to moderate myopia (up to -3.90 D) had significantly better refractive outcomes than those with higher myopia. Also at 24 months, 91% of the eyes had an uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/40, and 81.5% had an uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/30. Correspondingly, 87.5% of the eyes were within 1.00 D of emmetropia, and 71.7% were within 0.50 D. Only 0.4% lost one line of best-corrected visual acuity, no eye lost two lines or more., Conclusions: Refraction after PRK is slow to stabilize, but appears to reach stability by 18 to 24 months after surgery. The refractive results are reasonably predictable and compare well with those achieved with radial keratotomy.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the algorithm and surgical performance of two excimer lasers, the Summit Excimed 200 LA and the VISX 20/20, by assessing visual outcome parameters such as visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, and subjectively estimating dark vision performance. Furthermore, refractive results and centration of the surgically ablated area were assessed. Twenty patients were included in each group. The indications were myopia between -2 to -5 diopters allowing up to -0.75 diopters astigmatism. The treatment diameter was 5 mm. The postoperative treatment was topical dexamethasone for 3 months. The follow-up time was 12 months. The results showed a median refraction +/- 0.0 D in the Summit group and -0.5 D in the VISX group 12 months postoperatively. The uncorrected visual acuity was 0.5 (20/40) or better for 100% of the Summit treated eyes, whereas 85% of the VISX treated eyes achieved 0.5 (20/40) or better. The other visual qualities as contrast sensitivity, dark vision and centration of the ablation zone were the same in both groups. The slightly more myopic outcome of the VISX laser explains the poorer average uncorrected visual acuity in this group. We have, as a result of the refractive results, changed our algorithm in the VISX machine to achieve emmetropia. It is our experience that one should try to reach emmetropia in this young population.

Regression of effect is a well-established complication of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for the correction of myopia. In 17 eyes retreated with excimer photorefractive keratectomy, minimum follow-up time was six months. Mean (+/- SD) refraction at six months postoperatively was -0.97 +/- 2.10 diopters, significantly different (P < .01) from the pre-retreatment mean of -2.91 +/- 0.86 diopters. The 11 best eyes (six-month refraction < -1.00 diopter) had a mean refraction of +0.32 +/- 0.67 diopter. At six months after retreatment, 64.7% had an uncorrected visual acuity greater than or equal to 20/40, and 58.8% were within 1.00 diopter of emmetropia. Two eyes showed a loss of one to two Snellen lines at six months. There was no significant increase in mean haze after retreatment. While the percentage of eyes with uncorrected visual acuity greater than or equal to 20/40 and the percentage of eyes within 1.00 diopter of emmetropia were lower than in eyes which did not require retreatment, the results of this study indicate that the majority of photorefractive keratectomy regressions can be successfully retreated.

Scrapings from the treated area of 17 patients who had undergone photorefractive keratectomy were analyzed. All patients had regressed to myopia and were scraped at the time of retreatment. Three scrapings from the epithelium of patients undergoing primary photorefractive keratectomy served as control. Formalin fixed and paraffin embedded, the specimens were sectioned and stained specifically for hyaluronic acid. Hematoxylin was used for counterstaining in all specimens. Scrapings revealed either epithelial hyperplasia (11 cases) or an increased amount of extracellular material (15 cases) or both (9 cases). Five of the specimens stained positive for hyaluronic acid. Four of these cases showed the highest degree of corneal haze. The latter suggests a role for hyaluronic acid formation in excessive wound healing, causing myopic regression. All patients had received prolonged topical steroid treatment, a measure that may suppress a normal occurrence of hyaluronic acid.

To assess the role of topical steroids following excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia, we compared the refractive outcome in 100 eyes that did not receive steroids in the immediate postoperative period (untreated eyes) with 100 eyes that were treated with topical dexamethasone for three months postoperatively. Photorefractive keratectomy was performed with the Summit laser, using 4.3 mm and 4.5 mm ablation zones. At three months after surgery, the untreated eyes had a mean refraction of -0.97 +/- 1.15 diopters (D), significantly different (P < .01) from the mean refraction (+0.46 +/- 0.74 D) of the steroid-treated eyes. By six months postoperatively, 86% of the untreated eyes had regressed to a myopia of at least 0.50 D, whereas only 23% of the steroid-treated eyes had regressed. In a second study, we compared the results in 25 patients whose first PRK eye was treated with steroids after surgery but whose second eye was not. At three months postoperatively, mean refraction in the steroid-treated eyes was +1.23 +/- 0.71 D, significantly different (P < .01) from the mean of -0.45 +/- 1.29 D in the untreated eyes. The refractive results in PRK eyes treated with the Summit unit and with relatively small ablation zone diameters showed that eyes that received dexamethasone postoperatively were less likely to regress to myopia.

Purpose: To evaluate the refractive results of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) performed on normal, sighted myopic eyes; to assess the role of postoperative topical steroid treatment in patients with PRK; and to study the regression of effect., Methods: An argon fluoride 193-nm excimer laser was used. Photorefractive keratectomy was performed on 420 eyes with preoperative refraction ranging from -1.25 to -7.50 diopters (D). Minimum follow-up time was 12 months, and 194 of the eyes were followed for 15 months. Postoperative treatment generally consisted of topical dexamethasone for 3 months, but in a sub-study, some eyes were treated for only 5 weeks., Results: Mean refraction (spherical equivalent +/- standard deviation) at 12 months was -0.04 +/- 0.84 D and at 15 months -0.22 +/- 0.78 D. At 12 months postoperatively, 86% of the eyes were within 1.00 D of emmetropia, at 15 months 87%. At 12 months, 91% of the eyes had an uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/40, at 15 months 87%. Eyes treated with dexamethasone for 3 months regressed significantly less than those treated for only 5 weeks (P < 0.01). Dexamethasone also was effective in reversing regression later in the postoperative course. Eyes with preoperative myopia up to 4.90 D had significantly better refractive results at 12 months than eyes with myopia ranging from 5.00 to 7.50 D (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: These data show that excimer laser PRK can correct myopia with good predictability. Results at 12 and 15 months tend to suggest stability of postoperative refraction. Regression of effect was more common in higher myopes. Topical steroids postoperatively seem to play a crucial role for the refractive result.

One-hundred-fourty-eight normal, sighted eyes, treated for myopia with argon fluoride 193-mm excimer laser, were analyzed 18 months postoperatively with respect to stability of refraction. Mean refraction 18 months after surgery was -0.32 D (+/- SD 0.89), a figure which was not significantly different from mean refractions at 12 and 15 months postoperatively. Also at 18 months, 86% of the eyes had an uncorrected visual acuity > or = 20/40, and 82% of the eyes were within 1.00 D of intended refraction (i.e. emmetropia). These percentages, which are directly related to postoperative refraction, are similar to those noted at 12 months after surgery. Although it may be too early to conclude that the 18-month refractions represent a definitive predictor of future refraction, the numerous similarities between the 12- and 18-months data presented in this study tend to suggest stability of refraction 18 months after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for myopia.

Since the start of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) Seiler has recommended the use of topical corticosteroids during the first 3 months after surgery. The rationale for this treatment was to diminish the inflammatory reaction as well as to control the keratocytes from producing collagen and creating scars. Our knowledge of corneal wound healing in general, and after PRK in particular, is very limited and the action of corticosteroids is still unclear. Corticosteroids, when given in comparatively large topical doses, create problems. Between 15 and 30% of patients are corticosteroid responders with increased intraocular pressure. This is a threat to the eye, and also a burden for the doctor as intraocular pressure has to be checked during the treatment. The risk for cataract formation after longer periods of topically administered corticosteroids also has been discussed. In order to decrease the rise in intraocular pressure, FML has been used in place of dexamethasone. During the 4 years follow up after PRK it has been reported that a number of patients do not regress or get a scar formation if they have not used corticosteroids in the postoperative period. The reasons to avoid topical corticosteroids in some patients are a misunderstanding of their instructions, or those who have had a history of herpes infection or glaucoma. A double-masked study of the effects of corticosteroids after PRK was performed by Gartry, et al in a small group of patients. After 6 months, the results revealed that there were no differences between the corticosteroid and the non-corticosteroid group. However, the standard deviation was high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)