Evaluating the safety and efficacy of photorefractive keratectomy combined with corneal collagen crosslinking for the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) combined with corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) in patients with potential risk of developing postoperative ectasia, who were not good candidates for LASIK.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. Twenty eyes were treated with transepithelial PRK combined with CXL. Patients were evaluated preoperatively for best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, keratometry, topography, and endothelial cell count. All eyes were treated with Amaris 750s Excimer Laser and KXL system for 90 seconds at 30 mW/cm².

RESULTS. Mean BCVA was improved from 0.0075 ± 0.08 logMAR to 0.025 ± 0.05 logMAR postoperatively. Average keratometry reduced from 44.9 ± 1.9 D to 39.8 ± 3.9 D. Mean minimal corneal thickness reduced from 504 ± 16.7 μm to 405 ± 41 μm. None of the cases developed regression, corneal ectasia, or corneal haze.

CONCLUSIONS. Photorefractive keratectomy combined with high-fluence corneal collagen crosslinking (PRK XTRA) appears to be a safe and effective treatment for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK.