One-year outcomes of a bilateral randomized prospective clinical trial comparing laser subepithelial keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy

PURPOSE: To compare laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in different eyes of the same patients in terms of visual acuity, refractive error, and complications over 1 year. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-masked study comprised 30 active-duty military personnel with myopia who underwent LASEK in one eye and PRK in the other eye. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients' results were available for 1-year follow-up. The primary outcome measures were visual acuity and refractive error. The mean visual acuity for the LASEK group was 1.56 and 1.67 for the PRK group (z=-0.18, P=.15). The mean spherical equivalent refraction for the LASEK group was -0.007 D and +0.124 D for the PRK group (t=0.982, P=.40). No significant differences were noted in visual acuity or refractive error in the eyes that had LASEK versus the eyes that had PRK. CONCLUSIONS: After 1-year follow-up, LASEK and PRK show similar levels of visual acuity and refractive error.