Twelve-month outcomes of single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy for moderate hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism

BACKGROUND: Conventional mechanical or alcohol-assisted photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) techniques for correction of hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism were associated with inconsistent results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the 12-month visual and refractive outcomes of the relatively new single-step transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TE-PRK) for moderate hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism. METHODS: This is a prospective interventional study. Forty-eight eyes of 30 patients with moderate hyperopia or hyperopic astigmatism with a cycloplegic spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) between 2.0 and 4.5 diopters (D) underwent single-step StreamLight® TE-PRK using EX500 excimer laser (Alcon Laboratories, USA). The main outcome measures were recorded at 6 and 12 months postoperatively including assessment of logarithm of the minimum angle resolution (logMAR) uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA, CDVA), cycloplegic refraction, corneal topographic changes as well as post-PRK peripheral haze grading. RESULTS: The mean preoperative cycloplegic SEQ was significantly reduced from 3.21 ± 0.61 D to 0.35 ± 0.04 D and 0.41 ± 0.04 D at 6 and 12 months, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean preoperative UDVA significantly improved from 0.53 ± 0.02 logMAR to 0.07 ± 0.01 logMAR and 0.08 ± 0.01 logMAR at 6 and 12 months, respectively (P < 0.001) while the mean preoperative logMAR CDVA showed non-significant change over time throughout the study (P = 0.135). At the end of the study, 41 eyes (85.4%) achieved UDVA of 20/25 or better and no eye lost any lines of CDVA. Thirty-eight eyes (79.1%) had a postoperative cycloplegic cylinder of 0.5 D or less at 12 months. The mean preoperative mean keratometry showed significant increase at 6 and 12 months postoperatively (P < 0.001) while there was no significant change between the two postoperative visits denoting topographic stability (P = 0.058). The mean postoperative Q value at 6 and 12 months showed a significant prolate shift (P < 0.001). No haze was observed in 62.5% and 85.4% of the enrolled eyes at 6 and 12 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Single-step StreamLight® TE-PRK for moderate hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism achieved acceptable visual and refractive outcomes. Trial registration: (Clinicaltrials.gov): NCT05261685, 2 March 2022, retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05261685 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40662-023-00327-4.