Correction of hyperopia induced by photorefractive keratectomy using non-contact Ho:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of non-contact holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty in correcting hyperopia induced by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

METHODS

Non-contact holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty was applied to 14 eyes with significant hyperopia induced by PRK. The mean spherical equivalent refraction before holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty was +4.20 +/- 1.80 diopters (D) (range, +1.75 to +6.25 D). The results were evaluated 12 months after holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty.

RESULTS

No sight-threatening complications occurred. Recovery of spectacle-corrected visual acuity took from 2 to 6 weeks. The immediate significant myopic shift that developed in all eyes gradually receded over 6 to 8 weeks. All eyes were relatively stable after 9 months. At 12 months, there was no statistically significant difference (p < .005) between the mean preoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity (0.71 +/- 0.12) and the mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (0.65 +/- 0.28). At 12 months there was a mean increase of 4.60 +/- 1.20 D in central keratometric power. Total regression did not occur in any eye.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-contact holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty offers a safe and effective alternative to correct PRK-induced hyperopia.