Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Mechanical versus Alcohol Assisted Epithelial Debridement in Photore-fractive Keratectomy

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors
Seyed Mohammad Ghoreishi 1
Hossein Attarzadeh 1
Heidar ali Moeeni 2
Akram Rismanchian 1
Mehdi Tavakkoli 3
Shiva Roghaee 4
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfa-han, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Resident, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Medical Student, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to compare the results and complications of photorefractive keratectomy with alcohol versus mechanical corneal epithelial debridement in myopia and myopic astigmatism.Methods: This prospective comparative interventional study was done on 1250 eyes of 625 patients who were candidate for photorefractive keratectomy. Each patient was randomly assigned to the group of mechanically or alcohol assisted epithelial removal. The epithelium was removed mechanically in one group and with 20% ethylic alcohol in the other group.Finding: 658 eyes were in alcohol group and 592 eyes were in non alcohol group. Mean spherical equivalent was -3.8 ± 1.3 D in non alcohol and -4.37 ± 2.3 D in the alcohol group (P = 0.78). There was no significant difference in postoperative pain between two groups (P = 0.22). Uncorrected visual acuity of ≥ 20/20 and ≥ 20/40 were achieved in 90.9% and 98.9% of alcohol group and 93.4% and 99.5% of non alcohol group respectively (P = 0.36 and 0.21). Refraction of ± 1.00 D was achieved in 90% of alcohol and in 92.2% of non alcohol group respectively.Conclusion: Epithelial removal with diluted ethanol provides a safe, simple and fast technique.
Keywords
Photorefractive keratectomy
Corneal surgery
Laser
Debridement
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 28, Issue 120 - Serial Number 120
November and December 2011
Pages 1429-1436

  • Receive Date 20 February 2011
  • Accept Date 06 April 2022