Comparison of excimer laser treatment of astigmatism and myopia. The Excimer Laser and Research Group
H. R. Taylor, C. S. Guest, P. Kelly and N. A. Alpins
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of excimer laser treatment of
myopic astigmatism and to compare this with the excimer laser treatment of
myopia. DESIGN: A prospective, open study of consecutive patients having
excimer laser treatment of myopic astigmatism or myopia. SETTINGS: Patients
were recruited from 18 private ophthalmic practices. PATIENTS: Fifty-four
eyes received treatment for astigmatism and 66 eyes for myopia. One patient
was lost to follow-up, and another underwent an ineffective ablation.
INTERVENTIONS: A VISX Twenty/Twenty excimer laser was used to perform
either photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy or photorefractive
keratectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Refraction and visual acuity with and
without correction were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.
RESULTS: At 6 months, 17 (85%) of the 20 patients receiving photoastigmatic
refractive keratectomy were within 1 diopter of plano refraction, and 19
(95%) of 20 had uncorrected visual acuity of 6/12 (20/40) or better. For
patients receiving photorefractive keratectomy, these figures were 28 (88%)
of 32 patients and 28 (88%) of 32 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS:
Excimer laser surgery offers an effective option in the treatment of myopic
astigmatism.
