Minimally Invasive, By Customizing Epithelial Removal With Blunt Epi-Bowman's Keratectomy Photorefractive Keratectomy, A Single Arm Consecutive Case Series With One Year Follow-Up
Published 2025 - 43rd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PO1069 | Type: Poster | DOI: 10.82333/31bp-xr92
Authors: Despoina Karadimou 1 , Anastasios John Kanellopoulos* 2 , Alexander John Kanellopoulos 1 , Niki Tsirimpasi 1 , Panagiota Petrakogianni 1
1Ophthalmology,Laservision ASU,Athens,Greece, 2Ophthalmology,Laservision ASU,Athens,Greece;Ophthalmology,NYU Med School,New York,United States
Purpose
To evaluate safety and efficacy of customized PRK with minimized epithelial removal. adjusted to the dimensions of the EX 500 treatment plan.
Setting
The Laservision.gr Clinical and Research Eye Institute, Athens, Greece
Methods
120 patients (240 eyes) underwent customized PRK for myopia with custom-shape and diameter epithelial removal with the blunt EBK Orca device to match the dimentions of the EX500 excimer laser treatment plan. Bromfenac 0.9mg/ml was used in addition to the standard bandage contact lens, topical corticosteroid and antibiotic solution for the first postoperative day. Visual acuity, CDVA, UDVA, refraction, post-operative pain measured on a subjective scale, epithelial healing and epithelial mapping profile were evaluated for 12 months.
Results
In average the pain scores for the first postoperative 24 hours were 0.27 ± 0.15 (on a scale 0-4). Day 2 epi- defect was measured in average on the slitlamp: 1.52 ± 1.23 mm2. 25 eyes were not yet epithelialized by day 3, and none by day 4. 4 patients reported use of additional analgesia within the first 24 hours postop. All eyes were at least measured with UDVA 20/25 immediately after the procedure and all 20/25 by day 4. At 3 months UDVA was 20/15,5, Residual refractive error: -0.15 Diopters. Residual manifest cylinder -0.18 Diopters; high order aberrations: 0,21um.
Conclusions
This novel technique of minimal customized epithelial removal: mini-PRK, may minimize pain and visual debilitation, by accelerating re-epithelialization and early visual recovery. These data appear superior to LASIK and Smile for the immediate postop rehabilitation and restrictions. They appear similar in the level of minimal discomfort experienced with both of these lamellar procedures, with a potentially superior intra-operative safety profile.