Study finds better outcomes, fewer complications with surface ablation compared to LASIK

A recent study in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery adds to the ongoing debate over which technique, LASIK or surface ablation, is perferrable.

Researchers retrospectively reviewed all cases of LASIK, LASEK and surface ablation performed at a single site over one year. All surgeries were performed with the EC-5000 laser. In eyes with low to moderate myopia, surface ablation provided slightly better visual outcomes than LASIK or LASEK. In eyes with high myopia, one method of surface ablation, transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy, provided better visual outcomes than LASIK, LASEK or another type of surface ablation (photorefractive keratectomy with mechanical epithelial removal). LASIK was associated with a higher rate of more serious postoperative complications.

The authors suggest that the accurate and smooth removal of the epithelium using the PTK mode of the excimer laser before the ametropic treatment may have contributed to the favorable outcomes of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy.