Use of the 193 nm excimer laser for photorefractive keratectomy in low to moderate myopia

As part of a Phase III clinical trial, photorefractive keratectomy using the VISX 2015 193 nm excimer laser was performed on 91 sighted eyes of 91 patients. Preoperative refractive errors (spherical equivalent) ranged from -1.00 diopters (D) to -7.50 D (mean -4.11 D ± 1.43 D). At six months, average residual refractive error was 0.02 D ± 0.64 D (range -2.21 D to +1.38 D). Ninety-three percent of eyes were within 1.00 D of attempted correction, 93% had uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and 72% achieved uncorrected visual acuity of 20/25 or better. All patients returned to their best corrected visual acuity within one line of their preoperative best corrected visual acuity. Photorefractive keratectomy with the 193 nm excimer laser appears to be useful in reducing low to moderate myopia.