Comparing visual outcomes of keratorefractive lenticule extraction, PRK, and LASIK procedures in the military population.

PURPOSE: To assess the 6-month visual and refractive outcomes of keratorefractive lenticule extraction (KLEx) as compared with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in a military population at a Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center.

SETTING

Joint Warfighter Refractive Surgery Center (JWRSC), Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

Patients who underwent KLEx, PRK, or LASIK between 2019 and 2022 were included. Anonymized data collected included demographics, preoperative and postoperative uncorrected and corrected visual acuity, and manifest refraction.

RESULTS

Of the 4466 treated eyes, 737 (16.5%) underwent the KLEx, 2801 (62.7%) underwent PRK, and 928 (20.8%) underwent LASIK treatment. Regarding efficacy, there was no statistically significant difference at postoperative month (POM) 6 between the percentage of eyes reaching an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better between the 3 procedures. At POM1 ( P < .001) and POM3 ( P < .001), there were a greater number of eyes in the KLEx group that achieved the same or 1 line better of distance visual acuity than the PRK group. The efficacy indices of KLEx, PRK, and LASIK at POM6 were 1.09, 1.10, and 0.97, respectively. The safety indices for KLEx, PRK, and LASIK at POM6 were 0.96, 1.01, and 0.81, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

After the initial recovery period, KLEx demonstrates comparable outcomes in efficacy, safety, and accuracy as compared with LASIK and PRK.