The U.S. Army Surface Ablation Study: comparison of PRK, MMC-PRK, and LASEK in moderate to high myopia.

Purpose: To compare visual outcomes following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), PRK with mitomycin C (MMC-PRK), and LASEK in moderate and high myopia in military personnel.

Methods: This prospective, randomized contralateral eye study included 167 patients 21 years or older with manifest spherical equivalent -5.99 ± 1.

Visual outcomes after Epi-LASIK and PRK for low and moderate myopia.

Purpose: To evaluate visual outcomes following epi-LASIK compared to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Methods: Of a total 294 patients aged ≥21 years, 145 (290 eyes) underwent epi-LASIK and 149 (298 eyes) underwent PRK for low to moderate myopia or myopic astigmatism. Epi-LASIK was performed with the Amadeus II epikeratome (Abbott Medical Optics) and PRK with the Amoils rotary epithelial brush (Innovative Excimer Solutions).

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in aqueous humor of primary open angle glaucoma.

Purpose: Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), a macrophage/monocyte derived pluripotent cytokine is associated with tissue ischemia, neuronal damage and remodeling. The physiological level of TNF-α in aqueous humor of normal and glaucomatous eyes is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the TNF-α levels in aqueous in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and compared them to controls.

Corneal biomechanics following epi-LASIK.

Purpose: To evaluate corneal biomechanical changes following epi-LASIK.

Methods: In this prospective study of 51 patients, corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were assessed using the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA, Reichert Technologies) preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after epi-LASIK. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare changes over time (alpha=.

Oral gabapentin for photorefractive keratectomy pain.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of oral gabapentin versus placebo for the control of severe pain after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Setting: Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.

Design: Randomized masked clinical trial.

Scattered ultraviolet emissions during refractive surgery using a high-frequency, wavefront-optimized excimer laser platform.

Purpose: To evaluate occupational ultraviolet (UV) exposure during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with the Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 400 Hz excimer laser.

Setting: Walter Reed Center for Refractive Surgery, Washington, DC, USA.

Methods: Intraoperative UV measurements were performed during PRK with epithelial removal using an Amoils brush, PRK with epithelial removal using 20% ethanol, or femtosecond LASIK.

Novel corneal phenotype in a patient with alport syndrome.

Purpose: To report the clinical and histopathologic findings of an unusual keratopathy, which may represent a new corneal dystrophy in a patient with Alport syndrome (ATS).

Methods: A 59-year-old woman with longstanding diagnosis of autosomal recessive ATS was evaluated for progressively decreasing vision in the left eye. She had anterior lenticonus and cataract and central corneal stromal opacification with significant thinning and flattening bilaterally.

Fabry disease and chemosis.

Purpose: To report the case of a patient with Fabry disease (FD) whose ocular presentation with chronic chemosis we feel is related to FD and to describe the conjunctival fluorescein angiographic findings.

Methods: A 51-year-old male patient with FD on enzyme replacement therapy presented with 1-month chemosis and mild irritation in the left eye. Ocular examination revealed pronounced noninflammatory chemosis inferotemporally in the left eye with conjunctival tortuosity and microaneurysms bilaterally.

Effect of brimonidine tartrate 0.15% on night-vision difficulty and contrast testing after refractive surgery.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.15% in patients with night-vision difficulties after laser refractive surgery.

Setting: Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Effects of lotrafilcon A and omafilcon A bandage contact lenses on visual outcomes after photorefractive keratectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate postoperative healing between bandage contact lenses with high and low oxygen permeability in patients having photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Setting: Center for Refractive Surgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.

Methods: This retrospective study compared patients receiving a high-oxygen-transmission bandage contact lens (Focus Night & Day [N&D], Ciba Vision; n = 92) and those receiving a low-oxygen-transmission lens (Proclear, Cooper Vision; n = 114) after PRK.