Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate effects of Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (Trans-PRK) on stereopsis among the individuals having myopic refractive error.
Methods: 30 individuals were recruited through nonprobability convenient sampling technique in duration from September 2018 to May 2019 from Madina Teaching Hospital. This analytical study included patients undergoing PRK to achieve emmetropia. Best corrected visual acuity was obtained using Snellen vision chart followed by torch light examination. Preliminary examination was done on slit lamp to rule out any corneal pathology that may affect results of study. For stereoacuity TNO test was used on all individuals undergoing trans-PRK. After 2 months of post PRK, same protocol was revised to measure stereopsis. SPSS version 20 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Significant results were seen among them with the p value of 0.01 at the level of 5% of confidence interval. It was seen that stereoacuity got improved after Trans-PRK when the measurements of stereoacuity were compared before and after the surgery. Refractive error ranging in between 4.00 to 10.50 DS. Mean of refractive error was 6.59. It was seen that in high refractive errors, more compromised stereoacuity values were obtained. Mean of stereoacuity before surgery was 2.47 ± 1.167 and mean of stereoacuity after surgery was 5.40 ± 0.724.
Conclusion: Trans-PRK can correct myopic error resulting in improvement of stereoacuity as well. As there is high refractive error, functional vision including stereoacuity also got compromised. But after refractive surgery, stereoacuity improved. Trans-PRK is a safe and recommendable method that cures the refractive error and stereoacuity improvement is seen.