Excimer Laser (193 nm) Myopic Keratomileusis in Sighted and Blind Human Eyes

TLDR

The study performed excimer laser (193 nm) keratomileusis on 23 eyes (10 blind, 13 sighted) using 180 mJ/cm² exposure and a 3.5 mm ablation zone, targeting −3.0 to −5.0 D in blind eyes and −1.5 to −7.0 D in sighted eyes, with follow‑up of 9–11 months for blind and ≥6 months for sighted eyes. At 3 months, 92 % of sighted eyes achieved ±1.0 D refraction, falling to 77 % at 6 months, while transient subepithelial haze resolved in all but one eye (which had a focal scar) by 6 months.

Abstract

Ten blind and 13 sighted human eyes underwent excimer laser (193 nm) keratomileusis. The radiant exposure was 180 mJ/cm2 with an ablation zone diameter of 3.5 mm. The follow-up of the blind eyes ranged from 9 to 11 months, whereas that of the sighted eyes was at least 6 months. The intended refraction change was -3.0 and -5.0 D in the blind eyes and ranged from -1.5 to -7.0 D in the sighted eyes. After 3 months, 12 of 13 sighted eyes (92%) achieved a refraction between +/- 1.0 D, whereas after 6 months 77% of the refractions were in this range. Temporary subepithelial haze occurred in all eyes except some of the -3.0 D blind eyes. After 6 months, the subepithelial haze had resolved to a clinical non-significant level (trace to grade 0.5 haze), except in one eye that showed a focal scar.