OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of PRK in patients with atypical corneal topography, but without features of keratoconus in Pentacam. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent PRK method that presented atypical corneal topography and Pentacam rates considered normal in the pre operative were analyzed. The sample consisted of nineteen eyes of ten patients. The considered criteria of corneal irregularity were: increased curvature greater than 47D with asymmetry less than 1,5D, 1,5D displacement above the apex and inferior-superior asymmetry greater than or equal to 1,5D. All eyes had rates of anterior elevation, posterior elevation and profile of progression pachymetric within the normal range. The safety of the procedure was evaluated for loss of visual acuity and / or development of ectasia. RESULTS: Nine (90%) of the patients were female and one (10%) was male. The average age was 31.8 years, ranging from 24 to 47 years. The distribution of corneal irregularity had 11 eyes (57.89%) with increased corneal curvature greater than 47D and inferior-superior asymmetry less than 1,5D, 3 eyes (15.78%) with displacement of the apex above 1,5D , 2 eyes (10.52%) with inferior-superior asymmetry above 1,5D and 3 eyes (15.78%) which included more than one criteria. Patients were followed postoperatively with an average of 16.4 months. Loss of visual acuity or development of ectasia disease was not present in any eyes. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that corneal tomography may be decisive to perform corneal refractive surgery. Prospective studies with longer follow-up time must be done to confirm our findings.
Photorefractive keratectomy; Corneal topography; Tomography; Keratoconus
