The goal of this study was to compare differences in the mean stereoscopic vision before and after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia.

In a prospective controlled study, myopic patients were treated with PRK by a Bausch & Lomb Technolas 217z excimer laser. The manifest refraction, visual acuity, higher order aberrations and stereoscopic vision were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. The same operator performed all measurements using TNO test charts (Lameris Ootech, Groenekan, Netherlands).

A total of 48 cases (96 eyes, 68.75% female) were treated, with a mean age of 26.70 ± 4.89 years (18–34 years). Uncorrected visual acuity was improved and refraction was corrected significantly. Total higher order aberration, higher order aberrations without spherical aberration and spherical aberration increased after the operation. The preoperative and postoperative mean stereoscopic vision measurement values were significantly increased (246.56 ± 98.43 sec. of arc. vs. 365.38 ± 112.65 sec. of arc. at 3 months and 343.51 ± 88.96 sec. of arc. at 6 months) (p< 0.001).

PRK was successful and safe in improving refractive error and uncorrected visual acuity but it may deteriorate the stereoscopic vision. It may be due to increase in higher order aberrations.