Refractive results of post penetrating keratoplasty photorefractive keratectomy

Abstract

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and predictability of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for severe myopia and astigmatism following penetrating keratoplasty.

Patients and methods: PRK was performed on 42 eyes, and 33 eyes were followed up for at least 6 months.

Results: Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -8.29 +/- 4.01 diopters (D), which decreased to -2.96 +/- 3.26 D in manifest refraction at 6 months. Keratometric power reduced from 48.06 +/- 3.32 D preoperatively to 43.97 +/- 3.40 D. Refractive and keratometric astigmatism attained the reduction of 31.0% and 13.56% in average respectively. Twenty three eyes had improved uncorrected visual acuity.

Conclusion: PRK was effective in reducing post-keratoplasty myopia and astigmatism, but the predictability was not as good as in the non-grafted eye.