The Complications of Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy for Myopia in the First Year

Objective: To record the frequency and type of complications that occur following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia. Design: Prospective, with follow-up for 1 year. Setting: Mater Private Hospital Laser Clinic, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Patients: One hundred and sixty one myopic eyes in 120 patients. Main Outcome Measures: Any complications occurring in the follow-up period. Patient satisfaction rating, on a graded scale, was recorded in the first 50 eyes in 50 consecutive patients at 1 year. Results: Of 161 eyes 22.4% had early complications of their procedure. These were most commonly caused by the use of routine post-laser medications. Furthermore, only 6% of 50 patients surveyed, failed to achieve their original aim (wholely or in part) in undergoing the treatment. In no case was the visual outcome compromised by non-refractive complications. Conclusions: PRK is safer than extended wear soft contact lens use.