Effect of Base Curve Radius of Therapeutic Lenses on Epithelial Healing after Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of the base curve radius (BCR) of therapeutic soft contact lens (T-lens) on epithelial healing after laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK). METHODS: Ninety-two eyes in 47 patients with myopia were prospectively evaluated after LASEK. All the patients wore T-lenses with the BCR (R1) randomly chosen after LASEK. The T-lenses were removed after complete healing of the epithelial wounds. We calculated an estimated BCR (R2) from postoperative topography using a diopter conversion table. The patients were divided into two groups according to the differences between the BCR (R1) and the estimated BCR (R2). The flat fitting group was R1>R2 (Group A), and the steep fitting group was R1<R2 (Group B). Patient's age, epithelial healing time, ablation amount, and BCR were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Group A (R1>R2) had 53 eyes, and Group B (R1<R2) had 39 eyes. Group A showed a shorter epithelial healing time than Group B (5.8±1.7 days vs. 6.7±2.1 days, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The flat fitting group showed a shorter epithelial healing time than the steep fitting group after LASEK.