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Subject Area

Ophthalmology

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate corneal epithelial changes after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and correlate these with ablation depth (AD) and refractive outcome. Background Evaluation of corneal epithelial changes profile after PRK is essential for understanding postoperative wound healing and clinical outcomes. Patients and methods This a prospective nonrandomized clinical study in 100 eyes of 50 patients treated with PRK for myopia, astigmatism, or compound myopic astigmatism. Epithelial thickness maps were obtained by AS-OCT preoperatively and at 2 and 3 months postoperatively. Correlation between epithelial changes and the amount of AD and spherical equivalent were analyzed. Results Compared with the preoperative value the central 1 mm and paracentral (superior, inferior, temporal, nasal) 1: 3 mm zone epithelium was 5.71 ± 2.221 and (6.23 ± 2.176, 6.31 ± 2.553, 8.35 ± 2.436, 6.06 ± 2.000 μm) thicker, respectively, at 3 months postoperatively (P < 0.01). Epithelial thickness reached approximately the preoperative thickness 2 months later with the central 1 mm and paracentral (Superior, inferior, temporal, nasal) epithelium being 0.06 ± 0.180 and (0.35 ± 1.021, 0.19 ± 0.790, 0.63 ± 1.496, 0.38 ± 1.362) μm, respectively. The spherical equivalent changed from −6.25 to −0.625 D preoperatively to −1.5–0.0 D at 2 months postoperatively and remained stable at 3 months. There was a significant correlation between epithelial thickness and AD. Conclusion The epithelial thickness was assessed by AS-OCT. Epithelial thickness reached approximately the preoperative thickness at 2 months after PRK but there was statistically significant increase up to 3 months. There was statistically significant positive correlation between AD and epithelial thickening. These changes do not affect refraction.

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