Comparison of 18-month results with femtosecond assisted LASIK (femto-LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin C (PRK-MMC) for myopia worse than 7.0 diopters (D) in terms of visual acuity and quality.

In this comparative nonrandomized clinical trial, 60 eyes (30 in each group) were enrolled. Here we examine 18-month results on terms of uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), ocular and corneal aberrations, and contrast sensitivity (CS).

In the femto-LASIK and PRK-MMC groups, mean preoperative myopia was -8.65±1.51 and -8.04±1.70 D (P=0.149), respectively. Mean ablation depth and baseline indices were not significantly different between the two groups. During the 18 months after surgery, both groups showed UDVA improvement, slightly better in the femto-LASIK group (P=0.071). CVDA remained unchanged in both groups (P=0.893). Inter-group differences in aberrations was significant only for total coma which increased more in the femto-LASIK group (P=0.028). Inter-group differences in CS increase were not significant.

Based on 18-month results in high myopic cases, femto-LASIK improves UDVA better than PRK-MMC. However, it leads to reduced visual quality due to increased coma. Femto-LASIK provides better visual acuity and PRK-MMC provides better aberrometric results.