[Treatment by refractive photokeratectomy of undercorrections after radial keratotomy].

UNLABELLED

Residual myopia after radial keratotomy is one of the major problems of this technique, it may be corrected with laser keratectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We present the results of nine eyes treated with photorefractive keratectomy, due to undercorrection after radial keratotomy. The photoablation was performed with the laser VISX 20/20, wavelength 193 mm, and concerned a residual spherical equivalent myopia (after RK) with an average of -2.00 diopters and a range of 0.87 to -3.75 D.

RESULTS

Six months postoperatively, the average spherical equivalent refraction was no greater than -0.75 D and a range of -0.25 D to -2.12 D; 66.7% were within +/- 0.5 D of emmetropia, with a uncorrected visual acuity > 10/20. The best corrected visual acuity remained nearly the same. Postoperatively functional symptomatology and healing processus are comparable to the first intention of photoablation.

CONCLUSION

The safety and effectiveness of laser Excimer photoablation seem to be demonstrated and this procedure could be used to complement RK.