Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes between routine and modified LASEK procedures in myopic correction. Methods: Fifty myopic patients (100 eyes) were equally assigned to 2 groups. In Group 1, a routine LASEK procedure was performed. This included that an intact epithelial flap was made and retracted after a prior treatment by 20% ethyl alcohol, followed by laser ablation at the stromal surface and rolling–back of the flap onto the ablated area. In Group 2, the prior alcohol treatment and laser ablation were identical to the routine LASEK procedure. However, instead of making an epithelial flap from one end to the other, a Y–scratch was made through the entire epithelium at the central cornea, resulting in 3 valves with a meeting point at the center of "Y". The 3 limbs of the Y were extended towards the periphery of the cornea followed by turning–over of the 3 valves to expose the stromal bed for laser ablation. The 3 valves were returned to the stromal bed after the laser treatment. The success, time spent, post–surgical comfort, corneal appearance and visual recovery were evaluated for the two LASEK procedures. Results: The overall results were summarized within 1 week after surgery. Between routine (group 1) and Y–type (group 2), the mean time spent in flap making was 15minutes and 3 minutes, the flap making success rate was 82% and 95%, the patients’s comfort P.O. was mild to moderate and mild, the corneal and conjunctiva injection was moderate and mild. The mean time spent until complete epithelial healing (Day) was 5.5 days for both group and the BCVA is 20/25 for both groups. Conclusions: The Y–type flap procedure is much easier than the routine one with a higher successful rate and a milder tissue response. The epithelial healing process is similar between the two procedures.
Keywords: refractive surgery: comparative studies • myopia