Main Complications of Photorefractive Keratectomy and their Management

• Main Authors: Spadea L, Giovannetti F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2019-11-01
• Series: Clinical Ophthalmology
• Subjects: photorefractive keratectomy; enhancement; corneal wound healing; regression; haze; decentration; hoa; topographically-guided excimer laser photoablation.
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/main-complications-of-photorefractive-keratectomy-and-their-management-peer-reviewed-article-OPTH

Leopoldo Spadea, Francesca Giovannetti Eye Clinic, Policlinico Umberto 1, Department of Sensory Organs, “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Rome, ItalyCorrespondence: Leopoldo SpadeaHead Eye Clinic, Policlinico Umberto 1, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via Benozzo Gozzoli 34, Rome 00142, ItalyTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) was the first surface ablation procedure introduced for the treatment of refractive errors and has been proven to be effective and safe. In some cases, however, the patient may not be totally satisfied with the final result and retreatment may be necessary. We performed a literature review to describe the main conditions that may arise following PRK that may require retreatment and new promising techniques to allow customized and effective treatments for patients. There is currently no gold standard for retreatment of residual refractive error after PRK. The surgeon must take into account the patient’s history and type of problem when choosing the most appropriate technique. LASIK and PRK are the main options. Haze can be treated with good results with phototherapeutic keratectomy and mytomicin C. High order aberrations and decentration may be addressed with topographically-guided excimer photoablation or with wavefront-guided PRK.Keywords: photorefractive keratectomy, enhancement, corneal wound healing, regression, haze, decentration, HOA, topographically-guided excimer laser photoablation