DR. VANDANA MAGANTY

DR. SRINIVASA K. H., DR. KIRAN KUMAR, DR. KINJAL PORWAL, DR. SPURTI NATARAJ

Abstract

PURPOSE:To study the outcomes after alcohol assisted versus excimer laser assisted epithelial removal in patients undergoing PRK for myopic correction

METHODS:Prospective interventional study of 40 patients (80 eyes), where they are divided into 2 groups equally. Group 1 underwent alcohol assisted epithelial removal and group 2 underwent excimer laser assisted epithelial removal PRK. Follow up on day 1,day 7, 3 month and 6 months after surgery was done. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), contrast sensitivity and pain scale were measured

RESULTS:UCVA of 0.00 was achieved after 3 months in 95% of group 1 and in 90% of group 2. Both groups achieved similar visual outcome in 6 months. Contrast sensitivity was not affected in the 2 groups. Postoperative pain was recorded to be more in group 1

CONCLUSION: Both the techniques had similar visual outcome. However, epithelial mapping is required for excimer laser epithelial removal PRK to prevent over or under correction of refractive error