
Excimer Laser Treatment for High and Extreme Myopia
Catherine A. Carson, PhD;
Hugh R. Taylor, MD;
Melbourne Excimer Laser and Research Group
Arch Ophthalmol. 1995;113(4):431-436.
Abstract
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Objective The excimer laser allows the controlled ablation of corneal tissue to correct refractive error. We assessed the efficacy of excimer laser treatment for persons with high (spherical equivalent between –5 and –10 diopters) and extreme (spherical equivalent greater than –10 D) myopia.
Methods Patients were assessed 1,3, and 6 months postoperatively. A VisX Twenty/Twenty laser was used. Visual acuity, refraction, corneal clarity, and adverse reactions were evaluated at each visit.
Results Six month follow-up data were available for 194 high myopes and 53 extreme myopes. Postoperative healing was similar for the two groups. Six months postoperatively, 89.2% of high myopes and 49% of extreme myopes were within 2 D of planned refraction. At 6 months, 28% of high myopes had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 and 71% had an uncorrected visual actuity of 20/40. Of extreme myopes, 4% had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 and 30% had an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40. Significantly more corneal haze was observed in the extreme myopes. Loss of 2 or more lines of best corrected visual acuity was observed in 13% of high myopes and 13% of extreme myopes at 6 months.
Conclusions Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy is an alternative means of treating high and extreme myopia and can cause a significant reduction in myopia. There is a need to gather further information as more patients are followed up for greater time.
Author Affiliations
From the Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, University of Melboune (Australia). The members of the Melbourne Excimer Laser and Research Group are listed in the acknowledgments at the end of this article. The authors have no proprietary interest in the development or marketing of the VisX excimer laser or a competing laser.
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