● AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transepithelial
photorefractive keratectomy (t-PRK) with adjuvant mitomycin
C (MMC) versus femtosecond laser assisted keratomileusis
(Femto-LASIK) in correction of high myopia.
● METHODS: Prospective randomized comparative study
including 156 eyes of 156 patients with high myopia and a
spherical equivalent refraction (SER) <-6.00 D. They were
divided randomly into two groups: Group A included 72
eyes treated with t-PRK with adjuvant MMC and Group B
included 84 eyes treated with Femto-LASIK. Visual acuity,
SER, corneal topography, pachymetry and keratometry were
assessed for 12mo postoperatively.
● RESULTS: The preoperative mean SER was -8.86±1.81
and -9.25±1.70 D in t-PRK MMC group and Femto-LASIK
respectively (P=0.99) which improved to -0.65±0.43 D
and -0.69±0.50 D at 12mo follow up. Mean SER remained
stable during the 12mo of follow-up, with no statistically
significant difference between the two groups (P=0.64).
In t-PRK MMC group, only six eyes needed retreatment
after six months of follow up. And two eyes showed haze
(one reversible haze grade 2, while the other had dense
irreversible haze grade 4).
● CONCLUSION: t-PRK MMC provides safe and satisfactory
visual outcomes and acceptable risk as Femto-LASIK in
patients with high myopia.