Photorefractive keratectomy for correcting residual refractive error following cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and predictability of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for correcting residual refractive error following cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of patients who received PRK for correcting residual hyperopia, myopia, and/or astigmatism due to unsatisfied uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) after cataract extraction with implantation of aspheric, diffractive multifocal, or toric IOL from September 2011 to December 2017. Pre-cataract surgery, pre- and post-PRK data including UDVA, best-corrected distance visual acuity, and refractive status were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 18 consecutive eyes in 17 patients were included in this study. The UDVA after PRK improved 1 line or more in 10 eyes, remained unchanged in five eyes, and decreased in three eyes. The overall improvement in the logarithm of minimal angle of resolution (logMAR) UDVA after PRK was significant (P < 0.05). While dividing patients into subgroups based on IOL type, significant improvement in logMAR UDVA was found in patients with aspheric IOL or diffractive multifocal IOL implantation (P < 0.05). No significant improvement of UDVA was found in patients with toric IOL implantation. All eyes achieved ± 1.00 D of the attempted spherical correction, demonstrating good predictability of PRK. CONCLUSIONS: PRK was a safe and effective procedure to correct residual refractive error following cataract extraction with premium IOL implantation. Although satisfactory for all patients, the outcome is better and more predictable in patients with aspheric and diffractive multifocal IOL implantation and is less satisfactory and unpredictable in patients with toric IOL implantation.