Photorefractive keratectomy in the management of refractive accommodative esotropia in young adult patients

Purpose

To evaluate the visual, motor, and sensory outcomes of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in the treatment of purely refractive accommodative esotropia in young adult patients.

Setting

Policlinico Umberto I, Department of Ophthalmology, Rome, Italy.

Methods

This prospective study comprised patients with hyperopia and purely accommodative hyperopic esotropia. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed preoperatively and 1, 3, and 12 months postoperatively. The examination included uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities and orthoptic and sensory tests. All patients also had keratometry, pachymetry, and corneal topography assessment before and after treatment. Treatment was performed using a Technolas 217 excimer laser.

Results

Thirty eyes of 15 patients (mean age 30.8 years) were treated. Preoperatively, the CDVA was 20/30 or better in all eyes and the mean cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) was +3.50 diopters (D). One year postoperatively, the UDVA was 20/30 or better in all eyes and the mean SE was −0.01 D. The mean esotropic deviation for distance vision without correction preoperatively was 8.7 prism diopters. At 1 year of follow-up, 12 patients achieved orthophoria and 3 patients had a reduction in the angle of deviation. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. Stereopsis was unaffected by treatment in all patients.

Conclusions

Photorefractive keratectomy was effective in the treatment of purely accommodative esotropia in young adult patients at a follow-up of 1 year. There were no cases of visual acuity loss or complications from the laser treatment.