Refractive Outcome and Corneal Topographic Studies after Photorefractive Keratectomy with Different-sized Ablation Zones

Background: Discrepancies may still occur between planned and actual refractive correction in eyes undergoing photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). The authors have evaluated the use of an enlarged ablation zone. Method: A computerized corneal analysis system has been used to compare the changes of the anterior surface of the cornea and the refractive changes before and 1, 6, and 12 months after PRK in 113 patients (119 eyes) treated with an excimer laser. The patients were divided into two groups: those treated with a mask with a 5-mm window (59 eyes), and those with a new mask with different window openings according to the degree of refraction at the corneal apex, starting from 5 mm in diameter for treatments less than 6.5 diopters (D) and from 7 mm in diameter for higher treatments (60 eyes). In the first group, treatment ranged from −2.5 to −16 D (mean ± standard deviation, −8.5 ± 3.24 D); in the second group, it ranged from −1 to −14 D (−7.8 ± 3.06 D). Treatments were evaluated with a chi-square test. Results: In the first group of eyes, 46% were within ±1 D at 1 month, 37% at 6 months, and 39% at 12 months. In the second group of eyes, 73% were within ±1 D at 1 month, 60% at 6 months, and 58% at 12 months. The comparison between these data and corneal topographic changes shows that both are more stable and predictable with the new mask compared with the 5-mm mask ( P = 0.002, 0.02, 0.04, at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively). Conclusions: The use of larger ablation zones improves the predictability and stability of refractive changes.