Influence of patient age on refraction and corneal haze after photorefractive keratectomy.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Since wound healing processes are known to be more rapid in those who are young, it was decided to examine the effect of patient age on refractive outcome of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: The records of 599 eyes that had undergone PRK were studied retrospectively. The eyes were categorised by baseline myopia and patient age. Spherical equivalent and corneal haze were compared in the baseline refraction and age groups at 3, 6, and 12 months after PRK. RESULTS: There were no differences in postoperative refraction and corneal haze in the different age groups. CONCLUSION: Patient age had no statistically significant effect on refraction and corneal haze 1 year after PRK.