Korean J Ophthalmol.  2010 Jun;24(3):143-147. 10.3341/kjo.2010.24.3.143.

Early Postoperative Pain and Visual Outcomes Following Epipolis-Laser In Situ Keratomileusis and Photorefractive Keratectomy

• Kim JH
• Lee J
• Kim JY
• Tchah H

• KMID: 945983
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2010.24.3.143

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.

Keyword

Epi-LASIK; Pain; Photorefractive keratectomy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Humans
*Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ
Pain, Postoperative/*physiopathology
*Photorefractive Keratectomy
Postoperative Period
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
*Visual Acuity
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Early postoperative daily pain scores. epi-LASIK=epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis; PRK=photorefractive keratectomy. *p-value=0.017.

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  Fig. 2 Early postoperative uncorrected visual acuities. logMAR=logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; epi-LASIK=epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis; PRK=photorefractive keratectomy. *p-value=0.021; †p-value<0.001.

• 

  Fig. 3 Late postoperative uncorrected visual acuities. logMAR=logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution; epi-LASIK=epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis; PRK=photorefractive keratectomy. *p-value=0.023; †p-value=0.004.

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