Early Postoperative Pain and Visual Outcomes Following Epipolis-Laser In Situ Keratomileusis and Photorefractive Keratectomy.
10.3341/kjo.2010.24.3.143
- Author:
Jae Hyung KIM
1
;
Jooeun LEE
;
Jae Yong KIM
;
Hungwon TCHAH
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hwtchah@amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Comparative Study
- Keywords:
Epi-LASIK;
Pain;
Photorefractive keratectomy
- MeSH:
Adult;
Humans;
*Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ;
Pain, Postoperative/*physiopathology;
*Photorefractive Keratectomy;
Postoperative Period;
Retrospective Studies;
Treatment Outcome;
*Visual Acuity;
Young Adult
- From:Korean Journal of Ophthalmology
2010;24(3):143-147
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To compare early postoperative pain and visual outcomes after epipolis-laser in situ keratomileusis (epi-LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in the treatment of myopia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was designed and included 49 eyes in 30 patients who underwent epi-LASIK and 54 eyes in 29 patients who underwent PRK. During the early postoperative period (days 1 to 5), pain, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and time to epithelial healing were recorded. Visual outcomes were followed for up to six months. RESULTS: Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction for the epi-LASIK group was -3.99+/-1.39 diopters (D) and that of the PRK group was -3.54+/-1.27 D. The pain scores on the fourth postoperative day were significantly higher in the epi-LASIK group than in the PRK group (p=0.017). Duration of pain in the epi-LASIK group was longer than in the PRK group (p=0.010). Mean healing time was significantly longer in the epi-LASIK group than in the PRK group (p<0.000). In addition, UCVA in the epi-LASIK group at postoperative days 1 and 3 were significantly lower than those in the PRK group (p=0.021 and p<0.000, respectively). Uncorrected visual acuity at one week and one month after epi-LASIK were lower than those after PRK (p=0.023 and p=0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In the epi-LASIK patients, pain relief, corneal healing, and visual recovery seemed to be slower during the early postoperative period compared to those of the PRK patients. With longer duration of follow-up, however, there were no significant differences in visual outcome between the two groups.
