Epikeratoplasty for Correction of High Myopia

ABSTRACT

Epikeratophakia was first described in 1980 by Kaufman, the correction of aphakia in adults. Since then, epikeratoplasty has been emploed for the correction of high myopia, keratoconus and most often. We have operated on high myopic eye, for which spectacles or contact lenses were no good enogh to correct myopia. 32 epikeratoplasty for 26 patients of high myopia were operated on and followed up to reveal the effect of the epikeratoplasty. The cases with 6 months or more followed up are reviewed. The cases reviewed are followed up at least 6 month or more. All cases improved their uncorrected visual acuity 20/40 or better. The mean keratometric reduction after surgery was 11.2D. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent of -12.8D was corrected to average -0.4D postoperatively. This study has revealed that epikeratoplasty has a couple of unique advantatges; a wide range of the correction of visual acuity and no postoperative complications. And these advantages were us to make epikeratoplasty a first choice method for the correction of high myopia.