Comparative evaluation of photorefractive keratectomy with the use of an excimer laser and a solid state laser system

Abstract

AbstractPurpose To compare refractive results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with the Solid State laser and Excimer laser.Methods This retrospective cohort study comprised eighty patients (153 eyes) who received PRK with the excimer laser Allegretto 400 Wave Eye‐Q (group 1), and 79 (156 eyes) who received PRK with the solid state laser Pulzar Z1 (group 2). All patients had a complete ophthalmic examination preoperatively to exclude ocular disease. All procedures were performed using an identical technique. Groups were matched in terms of age sex, preoperative refraction and visual acuity (VA).Preoperative and postoperative assessments included uncorrected distance VA, corrected distance VA, manifest and cycloplegic refractions, slitlamp examination and corneal topography.Results No statistically significant differences were found 1 year postoperatively between the two groups in terms of patient’s corrected distance VA (p=0.23), uncorrected distance VA (p=0.20),and remaining refractive error (difference between achieved and attempted correction) (p=0.60).Conclusion Both systems performed similarly in terms of efficacy and predictability. The use of the Solid State laser for the correction of myopia with photorefractive keratectomy is an effective alternative for the Excimer laser.