Photorefractive keratectomy using a 213 nm wavelength solid-state laser in eyes with previous conductive keratoplasty to treat presbyopia: Early results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using a 213 nm wavelength solid-state laser to treat regression in eyes that had previous conductive keratoplasty (CK) for presbyopia.

SETTING

Outpatient refractive surgery center, Manila, Philippines.

DESIGN

Prospective consecutive case series.

METHODS

Consecutive eyes that had previous CK for presbyopia were treated with PRK using a 213 nm wavelength solid-state laser (Pulzar Z1). Uncorrected near (UNVA) and distance (UDVA) visual acuities (monocular and binocular), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refraction, keratometry, and slitlamp evidence of corneal haze and other complications were evaluated for up to 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

The study evaluated 20 eyes (20 patients). Six months after PRK, 47% of eyes had monocular UNVA of Jaeger (J) 3 or better and 27% had a binocular UDVA of 0.10 logMAR (20/25 Snellen equivalent) or better with a concurrent UNVA of J3 or better. Seventy-three percent of eyes were within ±1.00 diopter of the attempted refraction. No eye lost 2 or more lines of CDVA or developed significant corneal haze.

CONCLUSION

Photorefractive keratectomy after CK using a 213 nm wavelength solid-state laser produced functional visual acuity in presbyopic patients in the short term (6 months).