Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK) as an alternative to PRK and LASIK

·Professor and Head of Eye-ENT Center, Catholic University of Korea. ·Chairman of Catholic Foundation of Eye Research, Korea. ·Dean of the Post-graduate School, Catholic University of Korea. ·Directors of Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital and Clinical Research Institute, Korea.     

替代PRK和LASIK的激光角膜上皮磨削術(LASEK)

Objective To introduce and compare the one year' s result of LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis) as an alternative to concurrent PRK and LASIK procedures for myopia. Methods This retrospective clinical study comprised operative and postoperative notes of consecutive 16 myopic patients (27 eyes, M:F=9:18) who had receied LASEK procedures with at least one year or more follow-up (12～18 months). And we comparved the LASEK with other surgeries such as PRK and LASEK in view-point of surgical advantages, visual improvement, and post-operative. complications such as corneal haziness, etc. Results We divided two groups of myopic patients according to the degrees of myopia (group 1 (N=14 eyes)-2.5D.～-6.00D.) and group 2 (N=13 eyes); -6.25D. ～-10.25D.). Through the LASEK procedure, surgical tension was surely less than that of LASIK which has always a possible complications concerned directly with a microkeratome. One week after LASEK, post-operative. Refractive powers and uncorrected visual improvement showed up to near normal ranges in all 27 eye cases. But In post-operative, corneal haziness, only trace-degree (0.5) was noted in one eye case of high myopic group. As other complications, we observed a failed case of epithelial flap making with a case of T-lens related central epithelial defect and a case of tight lens syndrome. Conclusion LASEK is to be the most safe and effective excimer laser refractive surgery as an alternative procedure of PRK and LASIK. LASEK has also an advantageous choice in high myopic cases having thin cornea, or narrow interpalpebral fissure or deep sunken eyeball etc.     

角膜光學切削術治療角膜顆粒狀營養不良的臨床經驗

Six eyes (five patients ) with granular corneal dystrophies underwent photogherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) to ablate corneal opacities with using of two excimer lasers (Summit ExciMed UV 200LA and Visx Star).Follow-up range was from 6 months to 7 years (mean 3 yrs). And 5 patients were improved their corrected vision upto 20/20(20/40-20/20) within a few month after PTK except of one patient who received lamellar keratoplasty on both eyes in 15 yrs ago,underwent again two times PTKs on right eye on 14 yrs and 15 yrs later due to recurrences.There is no doubt that PTK is an advantageous and initial choice of treatment for vision improvement of granular corneal dystrophy instead of corneal grafting. Only one eye among six eyes was only developed to recurrent case.     

Clinical experiences of photo -therapeutic keratectomy on granular corneal dystrophy

Six eyes (five patients) with granular corneal dystrophies underwent photogherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) to ablate corneal opacities with using of two excimer lasers (Summit ExciMed UV 200LA and Visx Star). Follow-up range was from 6 months to 7 years (mean 3 yrs). And 5 patients were improved their corrected vision upto 20/20(20/40-20/20) within a few month after PTK except of one patient who received lamellar keratoplasty on both eyes in 15 yrs ago,