Photorefractive keratectomy for visual rehabilitation of anisometropia induced by retinal detachment surgery.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of unilateral photorefractive keratectomy to correct anisometropia induced by retinal detachment surgery. METHODS Photorefractive keratectomy was performed in 10 eyes of 10 patients with anisometropia induced by previous retinal detachment surgery. The Aesculap Meditec MEL 60 excimer laser was used. RESULTS Preoperative mean spherical equivalent refraction was -5.20 D. Mean postoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -0.25 D after a mean follow-up of 12.9 months. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction difference between two eyes of 4.87 D was decreased to a mean 0.60 D postoperatively (t-test, P < .0001). All patients were free of anisometropic symptoms after laser surgery. CONCLUSION Unilateral photorefractive keratectomy seems to be an effective method to correct anisometropia induced by conventional retinal detachment surgery, especially for patients with spectacle and contact lens intolerance.