Comparison of mechanical and transepithelial debridement during photorefractive keratectomy.

Abstract

Comparison of clinical results from mechanical and transepithelial debridement during photorefractive keratectomy. Randomized, prospective study. Two hundred seventy-eight eyes in 173 patients between November 1995 and June 1997. Photorefractive keratectomy treatments with a Summit Omnimed excimer laser (6-mm). Clinical results were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), mean spherical equivalent (MSE), astigmatism, corneal haze, and subjective vision (day, night, glare, and halo). At all postoperative intervals, no significant difference was present between mean values of MSE, haze, or any subjective parameters. For mean UCVA, BCVA, and astigmatism values, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was present only at 6 months. At all postoperative intervals, mechanical values tended to be superior to transepithelial valves. Clinical results were not statistically different between the two techniques; however, the mechanical technique tended to have superior values for almost all tested parameters.