Excimer laser surgery for myopia and myopic astigmatism.

Photorefractive keratectomy using the Summit Excimer Laser has been carried out on 1333 eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism which have been followed up for six months or longer. Of those, 607 have been followed up for one year. Of the eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism of up to 3 dioptres spherical equivalent, at one year 85.6% had unaided vision of 6/6, 97.2% 6/9 or better, and 99.4% 6/12 or better. Of the eyes between -3.25 and -6.00 dioptres spherical equivalent at one year 72.1% achieved 6/6 vision unaided, 88.8% 6/9 or better, and 94.2% 6/12 or better. Of the eyes between -6.25 and -10.00 dioptres, at one year 49.6% achieved 6/6 vision unaided, 76.1% 6/9 or better and 88.0% 6/12 or better. To achieve these figures, 28% of the patients had astigmatic keratotomy, either two or three weeks before photorefractive keratectomy, or at the same time as photorefractive keratectomy. Photorefractive keratectomy is as predictable as radial keratotomy in eyes of under 6 dioptres myopia, but is more predictable than radial keratotomy in higher myopia. Photorefractive keratectomy has the advantages of leaving an eye which is structurally sound, and without diurnal variation of focusing.