Role of corneal epithelial thickness during myopic regression in femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis and transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy

Abstract

Abstract Background The study aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in corneal epithelial thickness and the outcome of myopic regression after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TPRK). Methods This study included 45 eyes of 25 patients undergoing FS-LASIK and 44 eyes of 24 patients undergoing TPRK. Myopic regression occurred in these patients postoperatively from 8 to 21 months. The corneal epithelial thickness was measured using a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at the onset of regression, 3 months after treatment, and 3 months after drug withdrawal. Results Compared with that of preoperation, corneal epithelial thickness increased when regression occurred in both groups (all P 0.05). Conclusion The corneal epithelial thickness determined the outcome of myopic regression similarly in FS-LASIK and TPRK. When the corneal epithelium thickened, regression occurred. After steroid treatment, epithelial thickness decreased whereas regression subsided.

Keywords

• Corneal epithelial thickness
• FS-LASIK
• TPRK
• Myopic regression