The Effect of Corticosteoid Treatment on Myopic Regression after Photorefractive Keratectomy

ABSTRACT

With the aim of reversing myopic regression after PRK, the effect of highdose topical corticosteroid in modulating changes in refraction and corneal transparency were assessed prospectively. Seventy-two eyes of 62 patients (mean preoperative SE -6.14D; -2.30 D to -11.50D), demonstrating myopic regression ranging between -0.75D to -5.33D (mean -1.69D), were treated with 0.1% dexamethasone eye solution five times a day for averaging 2.8 weeks. The age of patient, amount of attempted correction and K-reading did not influenced statistically significantly on myopic regression. Uncorrected visual acuity, mean refraction before reintroducing corticosteroids (mean 0.58, -1.69D) improved after corticosteroid treatment (mean 0.85, -0.42D)(p<0.01). Corneal haze changed statistically significant from 0.80 +/- 0.61 to 0.53 +/- 0.40 after steroid treatment(p<0.01). Topical corticosteroid therapy can modulate refractive changes after PRK, appearing to improve myopic regression. However, a long term follow up will be necessary to determine the final refractive outcome of these eyes.