JCRS

18 years of PRK

Researchers in the UK looked at 46 patients who had undergone PRK 18 years ago. All had undergone myopic correction with a 6.0mm optical zone. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refractive error was −4.86 dioptres. The mean change between the first year follow-up and the 18-year follow-up was −0.31D, with a significant increase in variance. Patients younger than 40 years had a mean change of −0.54D, compared with a change of −0.05D in those older than 40 years. The efficacy index was 0.58, with a safety index of 0.998. The corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly over the 18 years. Ninety-six per cent of corneas were clear at 18 years, with a significant reduction in haze scores. There was no evidence of ectasia. Z Shalchi et al, JCRS, “Eighteen-year follow-up of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy”, Volume 41, Issue 1, 23-32.

15 years of LASIK for high myopia

Spanish investigators reviewed the long-term outcomes in 40 LASIK patients treated for high myopia with or without astigmatism. At 15 years, the safety index was 1.23 and the efficacy index was 0.95. During the follow-up, a significant increase in the dioptric power of all keratometric variables was detected. The most notable increase occurred between three months and one year. Low preoperative pachymetry and low residual stromal bed were predictors of keratometric regression. J Alio et al, JCRS, “Laser in situ keratomileusis for −6.00 to −18.00 dioptres of myopia and up to −5.00 dioptres of astigmatism: 15-year follow-up”, Volume 41, Issue 1, 33-40.

10 years of crosslinking

Corneal collagen crosslinking is effective in treating progressive keratoconus, achieving long-term stabilisation of the condition, a new study concludes. The 10-year follow-up study included 34 eyes treated for progressive keratoconus from 2000 to 2004. Corneal collagen crosslinking was performed by applying riboflavin and ultraviolet-A. The mean apical keratometry value was 61.5 dioptres preoperatively and 55.3D 10 years postoperatively. The decrease was statistically significant. The mean values for maximum K and minimum K were also significantly lower. The preoperative and postoperative CDVA were statistically significantly different. The mean CDVA improved by 0.14 logMAR over preoperatively; the change was statistically significant. F Raiskup, JCRS, “Corneal collagen crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet-A light in progressive keratoconus: Ten-year results”, Volume 41, Issue 1, 41-46.