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Custom PRK with MMC improves vision more than custom LASIK for myopia
Br J Ophthalmol. 2009;93(12):1634-1638.
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Wavefront-guided PRK with mitomycin C proved more effective than custom LASIK in correcting moderate myopia, according to a study.
The prospective clinical trial included 88 eyes of 44 patients with moderate myopia who underwent PRK with 0.002% MMC for 1 minute in one eye and LASIK in the contralateral eye. PRK eyes and LASIK eyes had similar clinical characteristics before surgery.
A total of 42 patients completed 1 year of follow-up. Study data showed excellent vision in 74% of PRK eyes and 64% of LASIK eyes at 1 year after surgery.
PRK eyes attained better uncorrected visual acuity and best corrected visual acuity than LASIK eyes; the differences were statistically significant (P = .03 and P < .001, respectively). Both groups had similar spherical equivalent, according to the study.
PRK eyes showed no clinically significant haze. LASIK eyes had greater higher-order aberrations and lower contrast sensitivity than PRK eyes. The differences were statistically significant (P = .01 and P < .05, respectively), the study authors reported.
LASIK eyes also had higher corneal resistance factor and corneal hysteresis than PRK eyes (P < .01).
"Further research is necessary to determine the optimal concentration, exposure time and long-term corneal side effects of MMC," the authors said.