Resident-Performed Photorefractive Keratectomy for Residual Refractive Error in Pseudophakic Patients
Purpose
To evaluate outcomes of resident performed photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for residual refractive error in pseudophakic eyes.
Methods
In this retrospective case series, seven eyes of six pseudophakic patients underwent wavefront-guided PRK surgery for residual refractive error. All surgeries were performed by third year ophthalmology residents. Safety, efficacy, and wavefront outcomes were evaluated.
Results
Three months after PRK, 71.4% of eyes had an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/40 or better and 14.3% had an UDVA of 20/25 or better. All eyes achieved an UDVA of 20/60 or better. Three eyes gained one or more lines of best-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). No eyes lost any lines of CDVA. 85.7% of eyes were within +/-1.00 diopter (D) of emmetropia, and 85.7% of eyes were within +/-1.00 D cylinder. Wavefront analyses revealed a reduction in total higher-order aberrations from a mean preoperative RMS error of 0.37 to 0.27 postoperatively. Average coma, trefoil, and spherical aberration were also reduced postoperatively. There were no intra- or post-operative complications.
Conclusion
Resident performed wavefront-guided PRK was safe and effective in the treatment of residual refractive error in pseudophakic eyes.