Refractive versus corneal changes after photorefractive keratectomy for astigmatism

Abstract

PURPOSE: To define measures of assessing success and subsequent ways to improve excimer laser treatment of astigmatism. METHODS: We studied 97 eyes of 79 patients, followed for 12 months, that underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia and astigmatism with a VISX 20/20 excimer laser. Preoperative spherical equivalent refraction at the corneal plane was between -1.00 and -15.00 D. Mean preoperative refractive astigmatism at the spectacle plan was -2.17 ± 1.05 D (range, -1.25 to -6.00 D), which is -1.81 ± 0.86 D (range -1.04 to -4.97 D) when calculated at the corneal plane. All patients were examined before and after surgery; examination included refraction, keratometry, and topogr..