Comparison of visual and refractive outcomes between femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK): a long-term outcomes analysis

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to compare the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and femtosecond-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) procedures in the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Material and Method: Seventy eyes of 35 patients with myopia and/or myopic astigmatism who had undergone PRK procedure were compared retrospectively with 70 eyes of 35 patients with myopia and/or myopic astigmatism who had undergone FS-LASIK procedure. Results: All patients completed the 2-year follow-up period. With respect to age and sex, PRK and FS-LASIK groups were comparable. The differences in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and spherical equivalent were significantly better with PRK than with FS-LASIK at 6- and 24-month visits. FS-LASIK and PRK had similar values of safety index, efficacy index, and predictability at 6 and 24 months postoperatively. No significant complications were observed in neither of the procedures during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Both PRK and FS-LASIK seem equally effective options for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. However, PRK provided slightly better visual and refractive outcomes than FS-LASIK at 6 and 24 months postoperatively.