Excimer laser reablation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of repeated excimer laser keratectomy after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of 32 of 1000 consecutive patients who had a follow-up of at least 12 months and who underwent repeated PRK in the Assutah Laser Center.

RESULTS

The mean spherical equivalent (SE) declined significantly as a result of the repeated treatment. As opposed to zero eyes before re-treatment, 19 of 29 eyes (66%) achieved SE of within +/-1 D 6 months after re-treatment. Before re-treatment, 20 of 32 eyes (62%) had medium or severe haze, whereas after re-treatment only 1 of 29 eyes (3%) had medium haze, and none of the eyes had severe haze. At 6 months after reoperation, visual acuity had improved to 20/36, a significant improvement to the mean log MAR equivalent of 20/40 before re-treatment, yet still significantly worse than the log MAR equivalent before initial ablation which was 20/30.

CONCLUSION

Repeated excimer laser PRK has the potential for successful treatment of undercorrection, regression, and haze occurring after an initial PRK.