Background and Aim: Determination of intra ocular pressure is one of the most important ophthalmic dilemmas. This study compares pre and post photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) measures of intraocular pressure (IOP).

Materials and Methods: Simple myopic subjects were selected for this study from "Jomhuri" educational hospital in Erbil. All myopic PRK candidates were referred for IOP measurement. IOP was measured by noncontact tonometer (NCT) in all myopic cases pre and 3 months after PRK at the same diurnal time. Pachymetry was done for all participants.

Results: Two hundred and twelve participants were evaluated. The IOP was 15.12 ± 1.8 (mean ± SD) before surgery and 12.16 ± 1.9 after surgery (p<0.0001). The residual corneal depth was significantly determining the IOP result (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Apparently, IOP significantly decreases after PRK however, some ocular diseases that are diagnosed according to the IOP may be missed. Therefore, specific concern should be considered for IOP measurement after refractive surgery.

Keywords : PRK, IOP. Refractive error, CCT