Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy for low to moderate myopia in comparison with conventional photorefractive keratectomy

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness, safety and stability of the results of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK) with conventional photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low to moderate myopia. METHODS: In this prospective non-randomized case-control study, patients with low to moderate myopia were assigned to the tPRK group (cases) or the PRK group (controls). In the tPRK group, eyes were treated using the Amaris excimer laser (SCHWIND eye-tech-solutions GmbH and Co. KG, Germany). Outcome measures included postoperative pain using McGill Pain Questionnaire, epithelial healing time, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), manifest refraction, and safety and efficacy indexes which were compared between the study groups. RESULTS: < 0.01 for both comparisons). CONCLUSION: Transepithelial PRK seems to be superior to conventional PRK for treatment of low to moderate myopia in terms of postoperative pain, epithelial healing time, visual recovery and safety and efficacy indexes.