Laser in situ keratomileusis versus photorefractive keratectomy in the correction of myopic astigmatism

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the effectiveness of astigmatism correction in eyes treated with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: Patients with low to moderate myopia with astigmatism ranging from +0.25 to +4.50 diopters were included in the study. PRK was performed on 62 eyes and LASIK on 70 eyes. Six-month data were analyzed with regard to astigmatism power, astigmatism axis, spherical equivalent, uncorrected visual acuity, vector astigmatism change, and topographic corneal regularity. RESULTS: Mean astigmatism magnitude change was 0.54 +/- 0.76 in PRK-treated eyes and 0.60 +/- 0.67 in LASIK-treated eyes (61% versus 64% change, respectively, p = 0.61) at 6 months after surgery. Mean spherical correction change was -2.79 +/- 1.51 for PRK and -2.90 +/- 1.03 for LASIK (p = 0.63). Mean spherical equivalent change was -2.5 +/- 1.57 for PRK and -2.6 +/- 1.23 for LASIK (p = 0.73). Mean change in astigmatism axis was 20.8 +/- 73.1 for PRK and 33.8 +/- 81.7 for LASIK (p = 0.34). Mean change in uncorrected visual acuity (LogMar) was 0.84 +/- 0.26 for PRK and 0.89 +/- 0.23 for LASIK (p = 0.21). Mean vector-corrected astigmatism change was 0.88 +/- 0.66 for PRK and 0.95 +/- 0.59 for LASIK (p = 0.51). Mean vector-corrected astigmatism axis for PRK was 86.9 +/- 59 degrees and for LASIK 83.8 +/- -47.6 degrees (p = 0.75). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in astigmatism correction between PRK and LASIK at 6 months after surgery.