Axial Length Evaluation before and after Myopic Corneal Refractive Surgery Using IOL Master

Purpose: To evaluate axial length before and after the photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Setting: Alhokama Eye Center, Riyadh Saudi Arabia. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: The study sample was comprised of 106 eyes of 54 patients. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether they had photorefractive surgery (PRK group) or laser in situ keratomiluesis (LASIK group). The intra-group comparison was performed of the changes in axial length before and after surgery using IOLMaster. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were 76 eyes (39 patients) in the PRK group with the mean age of 25.10 ± 3.47 years, the mean preoperative spherical equivalent of -3.16 ± 1.75 D, and the mean preoperative axial length of 24.79 ± 1.02 mm. In the LASIK group, there were 30 eyes (15 patients) with the mean age of 25.13 ± 4.91 years and the mean preoperative spherical equivalent of -5.58 ± 1.98 D and the mean preoperative axial length of 25.67 ± 1.35 mm. Postoperatively, the mean axial length was 24.70 ± 1.14 mm in the PRK group and 25.60 ± 1.33 mm in the LASIK group. The mean change between the preoperative and postoperative axial length was statically significant in both groups (P < 0.00001, both intra-group comparisons). Conclusion: There was a statically significant decrease in the axial length measurements after PRK or LASIK for myopia.