Refractive laser surgery

Samprieto-Colom L, Pons JM, Granados A
Record ID 31995000028
Catalan, English, Spanish
Authors' objectives:

To provide an overview of the current's state of scientific knowledge assessing the safety, efficacy, and related costs of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy. Other solid-state lasers for the same therapeutic indication were assessed.

Authors' results and conclusions: Although there are data suggesting the possible efficacy of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy, there are no data indicating its long-term safety. The available data, mostly uncontrolled studies, suggested an aesthetic surgery use of the technology rather than a therapeutic one. Only some types of moderate myopia are the therapeutic prescription in which the technology is indicated although further assessment is needed. There is no scientific evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of new emerging solid-state lasers in human beings. We have only found animal data.
Authors' recommendations: Refractive laser surgery should be restricted in Catalonia to affiliated university hospitals in the context of a well designed randomized controlled trial assessing specific therapeutic indications. Also, patients undergoing this procedure should be monitored to assess the efficacy and long-term safety of the technology. Thus, further data on the efficacy and safety of the technology is needed to recommend the wide use of the technology in selected therapeutic indications.
Authors' methods: Review
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 1993
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Spain
MeSH Terms
  • Keratotomy, Radial
  • Laser Therapy
  • Myopia
  • Photorefractive Keratectomy
Contact
Organisation Name: Agencia de Qualitat i Avaluacio Sanitries de Catalunya
Contact Address: Antoni Parada, CAHTA, Roc Boronat, 81-95 (2nd floor), 08005 Barcelona, Spain, Tel. +34 935 513 928, Fax: +34 935 517 510
Contact Name: direccio@aatrm.catsalut.net / aparada@aatrm.catsalut.net
Contact Email: direccio@aatrm.catsalut.net / aparada@aatrm.catsalut.net
Copyright: Catalan Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Research
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.