Comparison of Modern Surgical Techniques in a Treatment of Myopia

Abstract

Aim: To examine whether there is a difference in the outcomes of surgical techniques photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and implantable collamer lens (ICL) for: short-term visual outcome after 6 months, long-term visual outcome after 24 months, procedures safety and remaining refractive error after surgery.

Methods: The research was conducted on patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism. Data was collected on the surgical technique performed binocularly: PRK, LASIK or ICL. Visual acuity was measured: before the procedure, 6 months after the procedure and 24 months after the procedure. Data were collected on the occurrence of complications and performed additional corrections.

Results: The research was conducted on 150 patients. The median age was 33 years with an interquartile range of 28 to 39 years. The visual outcome was satisfactory in all three groups during two measurement periods after 6 months and after 24 months after procedures. Complications in this study occurred in 13 patients (8,7 %), mostly in LASIK group with total of 11 patients. Suboptimal refractive result that was corrected by additional correction amounts 1,3 % meaning only 2 of patients underwent the correction procedure due to suboptimal refractive error.

Conclusion: Short-term and long-term visual outcome after binocularly performed PRK, LASIK and ICL showed success in all groups. ICL and PRK showed the highest safety rate, while LASIK had more frequent complications in this study. A suboptimal refractive result occurred rarely and were additionally corrected if needed.

Key words: Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; Myopia; Phakic Intraocular Lenses; Photorefractive Keratectomy; Refractive Surgical Procedures.