Corneal topographic analysis after excimer photorefractive keratectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the corneal surface changes and visual quality after excimer photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia.

METHODS

Corneal topographic analysis was performed on 23 patients (38 eyes) with myopia after PRK at the 1-, 3-, 6- month postoperative follow-up visits.

RESULTS

The corneal sphericity was changed after excimer PRK. As time went on, the mean surface regularity index (SRI) and the surface asymmetry index (SAI) decreased gradually, and the corneal surface became more smooth; mean simulated keratoscope readings (SimK) showed a gradual restoration. At the 6-month postoperative examination, corneal topography showed four main patterns of ablation: round or oblong (50%), collar-button (23.68%), semicircular (18.42%) and central island (7.9%). Patterns of ablation were correlated with visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

The quantitative analysis of corneal topography is essential for evaluating corneal surface changes after PRK and helpful in the surgical design of PRK and in predicting the refractive outcome with greater precision.