Epi-LASEK for the correction of @entity1714 and myopic XXXX .

@entity1 @entity940 @entity158 @entity282 @entity1714
PURPOSE: To analyze @entity1 results after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (epi-LASEK) for @entity1714 and myopic @entity940 . SETTING: Private practice setting, Columbus, Ohio, USA. METHODS: Three hundred forty-three eyes of 188 @entity1 with @entity1714 or myopic @entity940 were prospectively evaluated after having epi-LASEK by a single surgeon using the VISX Star S2 excimer laser. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), manifest refraction, @entity282 , time to epithelial healing, and postoperative haze were recorded. The @entity1 were followed for up to 6 months. RESULTS: The mean preoperative sphere and cylinder were -5.42 diopters (D) +/- 2.62 (SD) (range -1.0 to -14.0 D) and 0.87 +/- 0.75 D (range 0 to 4.75 D), respectively. At 1 week, the mean UCVA was 20/30. At 6 months, it was 20/40 or better in 98% of @entity1 . At 3 months, 78% and 92% of @entity1 were within +/-0.5 D and +/-1.0 D, respectively, of the intended correction. This improved to 85% and 94%, respectively, at 6 months. The mean time to epithelial healing was 4.76 days (range 3 to 9 days). Most @entity1 (87%) reported no @entity282 . In the first 3 months, haze was noted in 1.6% of @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Epi-LASEK appeared to be a safe and effective treatment for the correction of @entity1714 and myopic @entity940 . Most @entity1 achieved postoperative visual acuities comparable to those with laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy. There was a low incidence of haze and @entity158 postoperatively.
