Comparison of Corneal Wavefront-optimized and Wavefront-guided Alcohol-assisted Photorefractive Keratectomy Using Schwind Amaris 750S Laser for Myopia

PURPOSE: To compare the visual outcomes and corneal aberrations between wavefront-optimized (WFO) and corneal wavefront-guided (WFG) photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in low to moderate myopia. METHODS: Twenty-seven eyes treated with WFO and 29 eyes treated with WFG PRK using a Schwind Amaris 750S Excimer laser were included after 6 months of postoperative follow-up. Uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, refractive errors, corneal higher-order aberrations (HOA) and corneal thickness obtained using a Scheimpflug system, and central ablation depth and volume were evaluated during the preoperative period and again at the postoperative 6-month visits. RESULTS: Postoperatively, uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, manifest spherical equivalent, and refractive astigmatism were improved in both groups, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in safety, efficacy, or predictability of the refractive outcome. Postoperative total corneal HOA root mean square (RMS), coma RMS, and spherical aberration were significantly increased in both groups. Among these, only spherical aberration showed a significant difference between the two groups, with greater increase in the WFO group at 6 months postoperatively. The changes in corneal HOA RMS and spherical aberration were smaller in the WFG group, and this benefit was marked in eyes with high HOA RMS (≥0.4 µm) and spherical aberration (≥0.2 µm). Even though ablation volume in the WFG group was much larger than that of the WFO group, there was no significant difference in postoperative central and peripheral corneal thickness between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both WFO and WFG PRK using a Schwind Amaris 750S laser for low to moderate myopia were safe and effective at improving visual and refractive outcomes. However, WFG PRK induced fewer spherical aberrations than WFO PRK and may be more advantageous for eyes with high HOA root mean square or spherical aberration.