Retinal detachment in myopic eyes after photorefractive keratectomy

Purpose: To analyze the incidence and characteristics of retinal detachment (RD) in myopic patients who had photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Setting: Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Institute Oftalmologico de Alicante, Alicante, Spain. Methods: The incidence of RD in 5936 consecutive eyes that had PRK to correct myopia was studied. Mean follow-up was 38.5 months +/- 17.4 (SD). Results: Retinal detachment occurred in 5 eyes (0.08%); 2 in women and 3 in men. The mean interval between PRK and RD was 21.00 +/- 15.89 months (range 9 to 48 months). The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after PRK and before RD development was 20/81 (range 20/200 to 20/25). After RD repair, the mean BCVA was 20/480 (range 20/2000 to 20/29). In 4 of the 5 eyes, BCVA after RD was within 1 line of the preoperative value; in 1 eye, it decreased from 20/40 to 20/2000. The mean spherical equivalent (SE) before RD treatment was -1.35 +/- 1.08 diopters (D) (range 0 to -3.00 D) and after RD treatment, -2.95 +/- 0.83 D (range -2.00 to -4.00 D). Differences between SE before and after RD treatment were statistically significant (P = .01, paired Student t test). Conclusions: The incidence of RD after PRK to correct myopia was 0.08%. In 4 of 5 eyes, there was little or no visual loss; but in the group as a whole, there was a significant increase in myopic SE. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26:340-344 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.