Comparison of Mechanical and Transepithelial Debridement in Photorefractive Keratectomy for Myopia: 1-Year Follow-up Results
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To compare the efficacy, safety and postoperative pain of mechanical versus transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) techniques.
Methods
This prospective comparative study included 84 eyes of 42 patients with myopia who received mechanical PRK (m-PRK) in 1 eye and transepithelial PRK (t-PRK) in the contralateral eye. The mean patient age was 28.5 ±6.3 years (range 20 to 46 years). Postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refractions, postoperative epithelial healing time, surgical time, postoperative pain rating and corneal haze were examined.
Results
At 3 months refractive stability was achieved in both groups.The mean SE decreased from -2.44 ±1.00D(m-PRK eyes) and -2.88 ±1.24D(t- PRK eyes) at baseline to -0.19±0.38D and -0.30±0.40D at 1 year.Surgical time was 98.6±9.8 seconds in m-PRK eyes and 58.0±6.4 seconds in t-PRK eyes.On postoperative day 1 and 3 using the global assessment rating, 81% of m-PRK eyes who had pain reported more pain in the t- PRK eyes.In addition,on m- PRK treated eyes demonstrated higher mean pain scores based on the 11-point numerical rating scale and VAS.The mean time to complete epithelial healing was 2.19±0.39 days(t-PRK) and 3.76±0.43 days(m-PRK).
Conclusion
t-PRK for mild to moderate myopia was comfortable than conventional m-PRK, patients had less pain, and a faster healing time.