Outcome of Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy Associated with Schirmer Test

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the clinical results of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK)in dry eyes,the surgical outcomes &complications were studied in 68 eyes of 34 patients who had received PRK from June,1996 to December, 1997 at Department of Ophthalmology,Chonnam National University Hospital.The patients were divided into two groups according to the preoperative Schirmer test value(Group ASchirmer test value 10 mm).In Group A,uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)of better than 20/40 was 38(90.5%)eyes at 3 months and 39 (92.8%)of 42 eyes at last follow up.In Group B,UCVA of better than 20/40 was 23(88.5%)eyes at 3 months and 25 (96.2%)of 26 eyes at last follow up.Thirty six(85.7%)eyes and 23(88.5%)eyes achieved within +/-1 diopter of spherical equivalent at 3 months and thirty two(76%)eyes and 20(77%) eyes achieved within +/-1 diopter of spherical equivalent at last follow up in Group A &Group B respectively.The mean epithelial healing time was 3.38 +/-0.76 days in Group A and 3.23 +/-0.60 days in Group B. In conclusion,there is no statistically significant differences in postoperative results after excimer laser PRK between the two groups. Postoperatively tear deficiency symptoms such as foreign body sensation or feeling of dryness was more common symptoms in relative tear deficiency patients. Further long term follow up study should be done to identify the any other differences of two groups.