Complications of Bilateral Photorefractive Keratectomy for High Myopia

Prior to the Food and Drug Administration's approval of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in the United States, many Americans traveled abroad to have the surgical procedure performed. Some people with high myopia, whose refractive error is above the current limit for treatment, continue to have PRK performed outside of the United States. Bilateral surgery is occasionally performed for some patients to reduce travel expenses. Bilateral PRK may become the standard of care in other countries for low and moderate myopia. However, because PRK for high myopia can result in notable reticular haze and regression of effect,1a patient with these complications who has had simultaneous bilateral surgery experiences substantial visual impairment. Report of Cases. Case 1. On May 31, 1995, a healthy 19-year-old woman underwent bilateral PRK (VISX 20/20, Santa Clara, Calif) in Canada. Preoperatively, her myopic refractive error had been −12.00 diopters bilaterally, with a visual acuity of 20/20