Comparison of LADARVision and Visx Star S3 laser in situ keratomileusis outcomes in myopia and hyperopia

PURPOSE: To compare visual outcomes with 2 commonly used excimer lasers, the Autonomous LADARVision (LV) (Alcon Laboratories Inc.) and the Visx Star S3 (S3), in the performance of myopic and hyperopic astigmatic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). SETTING: Zale Lipshy University Hospital Laser Center for Vision, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center 3-surgeon cohort comparison, 100 consecutive LV-treated myopic eyes with a mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) of -3.22 diopters (D) (range 0 to -6.00 D) (mean astigmatism 0.95 D [range 0 to 4.00 D]) were compared with 100 consecutive S3-treated eyes with a similar MRSE (mean MRSE -3.19 D; mean astigmatism 0.66 D [range 0 to 2.75 D]). Forty-one consecutive LV-treated hyperopic eyes with a mean MRSE of +2.59 D (range +1.00 to +6.00 D) (mean astigmatism 0.89 D [range 0 to 3.50 D]) were compared with 25 consecutive S3-treated eyes with a similar MRSE (mean MRSE +2.70 D; mean astigmatism 0.87 D [range 0 to 2.75 D]). The following outcomes were compared: uncorrected visual acuity, refractive predictability and stability, gain or loss of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and need for enhancement. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in outcomes were found between lasers in the treatment of hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism. No outcome differences between lasers were found in the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism. CONCLUSION: The LV and S3 lasers yielded equivalent results in myopic LASIK between 0 and -6.00 D; however, the LADARVision yielded statistically significantly better results in hyperopic LASIK between +1.00 and +6.00 D.     

Laser in situ keratomileusis for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, predictability, and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 69 eyes that had LASIK to correct myopia and 74 eyes that had LASIK to correct myopic astigmatism. The excimer laser keratectomy was performed using a Summit Apex Plus machine. Refraction, visual acuity, and computerized corneal videokeratography data from the preoperative and postoperative examinations were collected. The astigmatic change was calculated by the Alpins vector analysis method. RESULTS: The preoperative spherical equivalent at the glasses plane in the myopia and myopic astigmatism groups was -8.08 diopters (D) and -9.73 D, respectively. At 6 months, the spherical equivalent and residual corneal astigmatism were -0.25 D and 0.85 D, respectively, in the myopia group and -0.71 D and 0.82 D, respectively, in the myopic astigmatism group. In the myopia group, 88% of eyes were within +/-1.0 D of the intended myopia correction and in the myopic astigmatism group, 85% were within +/-1.0 D of the targeted spherical equivalent and 90% were within +/-1.0 D of the intended astigmatism correction. The uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 94.1% of eyes in the myopia group and 92.5% of eyes in the myopic astigmatism group. The SIA magnitude was 0.66 D with the axis randomly distributed in the myopia group. The mean astigmatism correction index was 0.97, the mean magnitude of error was 0.13 D +/- 0.62 (SD), and the mean angle of error was -3.70 +/- 13.73 degrees in the myopic astigmatism group. CONCLUSION: Laser in situ keratomileusis had similar predictability, safety, and efficacy in the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism. The astigmatism correction was effective, but the results suggest that subjective astigmatism of less than 1.0 D need not be treated with the Summit Apex Plus laser.     

Laser in situ keratomileusis after penetrating keratoplasty

PURPOSE: To determine the safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism in eyes with prior penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: Eight eyes of 8 patients with penetrating keratoplasty had significant postoperative refractive error. Each eye received LASIK 1 year or more after penetrating keratoplasty. All were followed for 6 months or more. All patients were treated with the Chiron Technolas 217 excimer laser and the Automated Corneal Shaper microkeratome. RESULTS: Mean spherical equivalent refraction decreased from -4.50 D (range, -3.00 to -7.25 D) to -0.75 D (range, -1.50 to +0.50 D) and the mean preoperative astigmatism decreased from 3.50 D (range, 1.50 to 5.00 D) to 1.25 D (range, 0.75 to 2.00 D). Uncorrected visual acuity improved by at least two Snellen lines in all eyes. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity did not change in four eyes (50%) and improved in three eyes (37.5%). CONCLUSION: LASIK effectively reduced low and moderate myopia and myopic astigmatism following penetrating keratoplasty.     

Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopic astigmatism with the Nidek EC-5000 laser

PURPOSE: We studied the efficacy, predictability, and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for moderate to high simple and compound myopic astigmatism. METHODS: Ninety-two eyes of 46 consecutive patients who had LASIK for myopic astigmatism (64 eyes, astigmatism 3.00 to 9.00 D; myopia 0 to -20.00 D), or simple myopia (28 eyes, myopia -4.00 to -20.00 D; astigmatism 0 to 0.50 D) were retrospectively studied. Mean baseline spherical equivalent refraction (SE) in the myopia group was -8.11 +/- 3.94 D and in the astigmatism group, -8.55 +/- 4.49 D. All eyes underwent LASIK using the Nidek EC-5000 laser by the same surgeon. RESULTS: At 6 months after LASIK in the myopia group versus the astigmatism group, 24 eyes (85%) vs. 54 eyes (84%) were available for follow-up, 12 eyes (50%) vs. 13 eyes (24%) had uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/20, 19 eyes (79%) vs. 44 eyes (81%) had UCVA of 20/40, 8 eyes (33%) vs. 18 eyes (33%) had SE within +/- 0.50 D, 15 eyes (62%) vs. 39 eyes (72%) had SE within +/- 1.00 D, and mean SE was -1.22 +/- 1.17 D vs. -0.74 +/- 1.46 D. Mean astigmatism (vertexed to the corneal plane) in the astigmatism group was 2.77 D at 0 degrees before surgery and 0.32 D at 7 degrees at 6 months. None of the myopic eyes and three of the astigmatic eyes (5%) lost > or = 2 lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: LASIK with the Nidek EC-5000 laser for myopic astigmatism was reasonably effective, predictable, and safe. Astigmatism was under-corrected with the nomogram implemented in this study.     

LASIK for myopia with the Zeiss meditec MEL 80

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate a new high-speed, small spot-scanner laser for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. METHODS: Seventy-six consecutive eyes with myopia and myopic astigmatism between -1.00 and -8.25 diopters (D) and up to -2.75 D astigmatism underwent LASIK treatment using the MEL 80 laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). Parameters evaluated were uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), residual refractive error, regression of correction, and aberrometry. RESULTS: Mean preoperative BSCVA was 20/20, which improved to 20/18 postoperatively. Postoperative UCVA was 20/20 at 1 month and 20/18 at 1 year. Uncorrected visual acuity > or = 20/20 was achieved in 58 (83%) of 70 eyes at 1 month and in 60 (88%) of 68 eyes at 1 year. The average refractive error before LASIK was -4.41 +/- 1.98 D. The mean residual refractive error was 0.14 +/- 0.31 D at 1 month and 0.13 +/- 0.30 D at 1 year. At 1-month and 1-year follow-up, respectively, 66 (94%) of 70 eyes and 65 (96%) of 68 eyes were within +/- 0.50 D of intended refractive correction. No eye lost two lines. At 1 month 17% of eyes and at 1 year 13% of eyes gained two lines or more. Between 1-month and 1-year follow-up, 100% of eyes were stable. Mean root-mean-square high order aberration changed from 0.20 microm preoperatively to 0.28 microm postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The MEL 80 is effective and safe in the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism.     

LASIK for post penetrating keratoplasty astigmatism and myopia

AIMS: To report the results of a series of patients who were treated with LASIK to correct post penetrating keratoplasty ametropia. METHODS: 26 eyes of 24 patients underwent LASIK to correct astigmatism and myopia after corneal transplantation; 14 eyes also received arcuate cuts in the stromal bed at the time of surgery. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -5.20D and the mean preoperative astigmatism was 8.67D. RESULTS: The results of 25 eyes are reported. The mean 1 month values for spherical equivalent and astigmatism were -0.24D and 2.48D respectively. 18 eyes have been followed up for 6 months or more. The final follow up results for these eyes are -1.91D and 2.92D for spherical equivalent and astigmatism. The patients undergoing arcuate cuts were less myopic but had greater astigmatism than those not. The patients receiving arcuate cuts had a greater target induced astigmatism, surgically induced astigmatism, and astigmatism correction index than those eyes that did not. One eye suffered a surgical complication. No eyes lost more than one line of BSCVA and all eyes gained between 0 and 6 lines UCVA. CONCLUSIONS: LASIK after penetrating keratoplasty is a relatively safe and effective procedure. It reduces both the spherical error and the cylindrical component of the ametropia. Correction of high astigmatism may be augmented by performing arcuate cuts in the stromal bed.     

Wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis retreatment for consecutive hyperopia and compound hyperopic astigmatism

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, predictability, and safety of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using the Visx CustomVue excimer laser (Advanced Medical Optics) in eyes with consecutive hyperopia and compound hyperopic astigmatism after LASIK. SETTING: Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford, California, USA. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included 19 eyes of 16 patients who had wavefront-guided LASIK for consecutive hyperopia and compound hyperopic astigmatism after initial LASIK surgery. Primary outcome variables, including uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), higher-order aberration (HOA) analysis, and spherical equivalence, were evaluated at 1 and 3 months. Nine eyes of 7 patients were available for all visits. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 51.7 years +/- 3.77 (SD) (range 44 to 55 years). The mean preoperative manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) was 0.99 +/- 0.32 diopters (D) (range 0.50 to 1.50 D) and the mean 3-month postoperative MRSE, -0.04 +/- 0.66 D (range -1.50 to 0.75 D). At 1 month, 57.9% of eyes had a UCVA of 20/20 or better and 78.9% of 20/25 or better; 84.2% were within +/-1.00 D of emmetropia. At 3 months, 66.7% of eyes had a UCVA of 20/20 or better and 88.9% of 20/25 or better; 88.9% were within +/-1.00 D of emmetropia. No eye lost 2 or more lines of BSCVA at 1 or 3 months. CONCLUSION: Wavefront-guided LASIK was an effective, predictable, and safe procedure for consecutive hyperopia and compound hyperopic astigmatism after LASIK.     

Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia of -1.50 to -6.00 diopters

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of low and moderate myopia and astigmatism using the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser with a modified algorithm. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-six eyes of 257 patients with myopia ranging from -1.50 to -6.00 D and astigmatism of no more than 4.00 D were included. Manifest spherical equivalent refraction, uncorrected and spectacle-corrected visual acuity were assessed at 1 month (357 eyes, 90%), 3 months (220 eyes, 56%), and 6 months (168 eyes, 42%) after LASIK. RESULTS: Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -3.60 +/- 1.27 D and mean cylinder was -1.01 +/- 1.08 D. Mean postoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -0.12 +/- 0.31 D and mean cylinder was -0.19 +/- 0.33 D. At 6 months follow-up, 158 eyes (94%) had a mean postoperative spherical equivalent refraction within +/- 0.50 D of emmetropia; 168 eyes (100%) were within +/- 1.00 D. Uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 81% (136 eyes) and 20/40 or better in 100%. Two eyes (1.2%) lost 1 line of spectacle-corrected visual acuity due to a decentered ablation. No eye lost 2 or more lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Our modified LASIK algorithm with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser resulted in safe and predictable outcomes for treatment of low and moderate amounts of myopia and astigmatism.     

Patient satisfaction after LASIK for myopia.

PURPOSE: To determine satisfaction among patients treated with laser-in-situ-keratomileusis (LASIK) for various degrees of myopia (-0.75 D to -16.00 D) and myopic astigmatism (+0.50 D to +4.50 D) and assess factors which may affect satisfaction. METHODS: One-hundred seventy-four consecutive patients treated with LASIK between November 1, 1997 and October 31, 1998 were surveyed. Charts were reviewed to collect refractive data. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients (163 eyes) returned surveys for a response rate of 53%. Of the responders, 55% were female, the average age was 39.6 years (range 21-59), the mean preoperative sphere was -6.36 +/- 0.23 D, cylinder +0.94 +/- 0.07 D, and spherical equivalent-5.89 +/- 0.23 D. Ninety-six percent of eyes enjoyed freedom from corrective lenses following LASIK. Twenty-nine percent reported reduced night vision clarity following LASIK and 27% noted more eye dryness following LASIK. Overall, 84.8% were at least "very pleased" with the results of the procedure and 97% indicated that they would decide again to have LASIK. Uncorrected visual acuity and lower preoperative cylinder correlated positively with satisfaction, while increased postoperative dry eyes correlated negatively with satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a very high level of patient satisfaction following excimer laser treatment for myopia and myopic astigmatism. A great deal of literature has evaluated objective outcomes of LASIK, but this is one of few studies to examine patient satisfaction.     

A comparison of induced astigmatism in conventional and wavefront-guided myopic LASIK using LADARVision4000 and VISX S4 platforms

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the surgically induced astigmatism in myopic eyes undergoing conventional and wavefront-guided LASIK. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the charts of 200 myopic eyes of 121 patients who underwent either custom or conventional treatments via the VISX S4 or LADARVision4000 platforms (50 consecutive eyes in each of the four groups). The primary outcome measure was manifest refraction, which was evaluated preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. The magnitude and axis of the unintended surgically induced astigmatism were calculated using vector analysis. The Student t test was used to compare the magnitudes of the surgically induced astigmatism and the absolute angle of error. RESULTS: The mean preoperative manifest cylinder was 0.66 +/- 0.38 diopters (D) for conventional VISX S4 and 0.68 +/- 0.39 D for VISX CustomVue (P = .795), and 0.76 +/- 0.56 D for LADARVision and 0.61 +/- 0.36 D for LADAR CustomCornea (P = .114). The success index was 0.19 +/- 0.41 for VISX S4 and 0.49 +/- 0.49 for VISX CustomVue (P = .0013), and 0.25 +/- 0.47 for LADARVision and 0.20 +/- 0.39 for LADAR CustomCornea (P = .5721). The absolute mean angle of error was 4.4 +/- 13.9 degrees for VISX S4 versus 14.9 +/- 23.9 degrees for VISX CustomVue (P = .0085), and 6.1 +/- 12.30 for LADARVision versus 3.9 +/- 11.1 degrees for LADAR CustomCornea (P = .3501). Of the VISX CustomVue eyes, 32% had an absolute angle of error > 10 degrees, as compared to 10% for both the VISX S4 and LADAR CustomCornea eyes (P = .013), and 16% for the LADARVision group (P = .056). CONCLUSIONS: Wavefront-guided ablation is associated with higher surgically induced astigmatism and larger astigmatic axis shift on the VISX platform as compared to the LADAR CustomCornea and the LADAR and VISX conventional platforms. Care should be emphasized mainly during registration/alignment to minimize surgically induced astigmatism in wavefront-guided LASIK.     

Visual outcomes of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis in eyes with moderate or high myopia and compound myopic astigmatism

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery for the treatment of moderate to high myopia and compound myopic astigmatism. SETTING: Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford, California, USA. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with moderate (-6.0 to -8.0 diopters [D]) and high (greater than -8.00) myopia treated with wavefront-guided LASIK using the WaveScan linked to the CustomVue system (AMO USA, Inc.). Eyes were analyzed preoperatively and 1, 3, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 38.4 years +/- 7.14 (SD). Eighty-nine eyes of 45 patients were evaluated at 3 months and 50 eyes of 25 patients at 12 months. No eye was retreated during the study. The mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent was -8.10 +/- 0.98 D (range -6.00 to -10.63 D) preoperatively and -0.33 +/- 0.55 D (range -1.625 to 1.375 D) 12 months postoperatively. Ninety percent of the eyes were within +/-1.00 D of the intended correction and 64.0%, within +/-0.50 D. For all eyes, the safety index was 1.00 and the efficacy index, 1.18. CONCLUSION: The data support the safety and efficacy of correcting moderate to high myopia and compound myopic astigmatism using wavefront-guided LASIK.     

Topographic- and wavefront-guided customized ablations with the NIDEK-EC5000CXII in LASIK for myopia

PURPOSE: To assess refractive outcomes, changes in the total higher order root mean square (RMS) aberration, and changes in higher order wavefront aberrations after LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism with the NIDEK Advanced Vision Excimer Laser platform (NAVEX) using either an aspheric or topography-based or whole eye wavefront ablation algorithm. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 1459 eyes that underwent LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -4.68 diopters (D) (range: -0.50 to -9.63 D) with astigmatism up to -4.50 D. Treatments were classified into three categories depending on the type of ablation algorithm used--optimized aspheric transition zone (OATz) denoted eyes that underwent aspheric treatment zones; customized aspheric treatment zone (CATz) denoted eyes that underwent customized ablations based on corneal topography; and OPDCAT denoted eyes that underwent customized ablation based on the whole eye wavefront profile. Follow-up data are reported at 3 months (69%) and 12 months (17%) postoperatively. RESULTS: Three months after LASIK, the predictability (10.5 D from target refraction) was 80% for OATz, 91% for CATz, and 76% for OPDCAT. Of all eyes, 96% were within +/- 1.0 D of intended refraction 3 months postoperatively and 100% after 12 months (87% +/- 0.5 D). In the aspheric and custom groups, a notable improvement of uncorrected visual acuity was noted between 3 and 12 months after LASIK. No eye lost >1 line of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Mean higher order RMS increased in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: The data support that the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism is safe and effective with NAVEX. Customized ablation based on corneal topography rather than on total wavefront error was more predictable.     

Nomogram adjustment of laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia and myopic astigmatism with the Alcon LADARVision system

PURPOSE: To evaluate the visual and refractive results of conventional (non-wavefront) laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism using the Alcon LADARVision 4000 excimer laser system and nomogram adjustment techniques. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 499 eyes that had LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism was performed. Preoperative manifest spherical equivalent refraction ranged from -0.43 to -6.00 D and preoperative astigmatism ranged from 0 to -4.75 D. Patients were evaluated during 3 months following surgery. RESULTS: One month after surgery, 72% of eyes examined (298/415 eyes) had uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/20 or better. Three months after surgery, 83% of eyes examined (216/261 eyes) had UCVA of 20/20 or better. One and three months after surgery, 82% and 83% of eyes, respectively, were within +/-0.50 D of attempted correction; 97% of eyes were within +/-1.00 D at both 1 and 3 months. No eye lost more than 1 line of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at 3 months after surgery. At the 3-month examination, 83% of eyes had UCVA better than or equal to preoperative BSCVA. CONCLUSIONS: Conventional LASIK to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism was safe and effective using the Alcon LADARVision 4000 excimer laser system. Outcomes were substantially improved throughout development of an accurate nomogram, derived from continually updated regression analysis of previous refractive results.     

应用波前像差引导的LASEK治疗近视散光和低、高度近视

目的：对比在矫正低度近视,近视散光和高度近视时应用波前像差引导的激光上皮瓣下角膜磨镶术(LASEK)的安全性,有效性,可预测性,稳定性和并发症。

方法：该回顾性分析共纳入416眼,分为3组,低度近视组159眼,等值球镜-3.68±1.33D; 近视散光组161眼,等值球镜-5.99±2.24D,柱镜度2.41±1.07D; 高度近视组96眼,等值球镜-7.41±0.80D. 制瓣后,进行波前像差为基础的准分子激光削切术。在术后10d,2,6和12mo后评估其安全性,有效性,可预测性和稳定性。

结果：术后12mo,低度近视组等值球镜-0.36±0.31D,近视散光组0.15±0.41D,高度近视组0.58±0.68D。低度近视组中,裸眼视力为20/20的患者占90.60%,近视散光组78.90%,高度近视组67%。疗效指标在三组中分别为0.98, 1.04和0.92. 安全性指标分别为1.00, 1.07 和1.05。低度近视组有5眼(3.1%)最佳矫正视力提升1行,近视散光组有44眼(27.3%)提升1～3行,高度近视组18眼(19.2%)提升1～2行。低度近视组只有2例产生角膜雾状混浊。在疗效和安全性方面三组比较均无统计学差异。

结论：波前像差引导的激光上皮瓣下角膜磨镶术是治疗低度近视,近视散光和高度近视的一种有效安全的方法,而在治疗近视散光时其可预测性、有效性和安全性更佳。     

Corneal wavefront-guided ablation with the Schwind ESIRIS laser for myopia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of corneal wavefront-guided LASIK for the treatment of myopia and myopic astigmatism. METHODS: This study included 56 myopic virgin eyes of 28 patients with a mean spherical equivalent refraction of -4.40 +/- 1.83 diopters (D) (range: -1.25 to -9.75 D) and astigmatism < 2.50 D. The corneal wavefront aberrations were analyzed using a corneal topography system. The preoperative corneal wavefront aberration data obtained from the above analyses combined with manifest refraction were used to generate a customized ablation profile. The safety, efficacy, and predictability of the correction, contrast sensitivity, and corneal higher order wavefront aberrations were evaluated. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, the mean residual spherical equivalent refractive error was -0.15 +/- 0.3 D (range: 0 to -1.25 D) and mean cylinder was -0.54 +/- 0.34 D (range: 0 to -1.50 D). Ninety-five percent of eyes were in the residual refractive error range of +/- 0.50 D and uncorrected visual acuity improved by 1.00 D or better in 94% of eyes. The safety index and efficacy index were 1.13 and 0.92, respectively. After treatment, corneal higher order wavefront aberrations with a 6-mm pupil diameter increased significantly (paired sample t test, P < .01), and contrast sensitivity with glare had small reductions at high spatial frequencies. Changes in spherical-like aberration (R = 0.708, P < .001) and higher order wavefront aberration (R = 0.449, P = .001), except for coma-like aberration (P = .238), were positively correlated with the amount of achieved correction. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of clinical results showed that corneal wavefront-guided LASIK for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism was safe and effective. There was an increase in all higher order aberrations postoperatively.     

Femtosecond laser versus mechanical keratome flaps in wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis: prospective contralateral eye study

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) performed using the IntraLase femtosecond laser with the outcomes using the Hansatome mechanical microkeratome. SETTING: Private clinic, Overland Park, Kansas, USA. METHODS: In a prospective contralateral-eye study performed under institutional review board supervision, 51 consecutive patients (102 eyes) had bilateral wavefront-guided LASIK for myopia using the Alcon LADARVision laser. One eye of each patient was randomized to have the flap created with the IntraLase femtosecond laser and the other flap using a standard compression head Hansatome microkeratome. All other treatment parameters were the same. RESULTS: The IntraLase group had significantly better mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at all intervals from 1 day to 3 months postoperatively. The mean spheroequivalent at 3 months was more myopic with the Hansatome (-0.34 diopter [D] +/- 0.28 [SD]) than with the IntraLase (-0.19 +/- 0.24 D) (P<.01). The mean residual astigmatism at 3 months was also significantly higher in the Hansatome group than in the IntraLase group (0.32 +/- 0.25 D and 0.17 +/- 0.20 D, respectively) (P<.01). The differences in UCVA persisted after spheroequivalent outcomes were controlled for but equilibrated when the analysis was modified to control for manifest postoperative astigmatism. Aberrometry showed significantly higher astigmatism and trefoil in the Hansatome group. Recovery of corneal sensation and epithelial integrity was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The statistically better UCVA and manifest refractive outcomes after LASIK with the IntraLase femtosecond laser may be the result of differences in postoperative astigmatism and trefoil. These findings are consistent with previous findings of better astigmatic outcomes with the IntraLase laser and may have clinical significance for wavefront-guided treatments.     

Topographic and biomechanical differences between hyperopic and myopic laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the size, shape, and uniformity of the videokeratographic functional optical zone (FOZ) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in 2 cohorts of patients with equivalent amounts of preoperative myopic or hyperopic astigmatism. SETTING: Pepose Vision Institute, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. METHODS: Eyes with myopic or hyperopic astigmatism (n=27 in each group) that had LASIK with the Visx Star S3 laser were retrospectively selected to match for level of preoperative refractive error. Slit-scanning videokeratography was performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively and analyzed using custom software. The FOZ was calculated by analyzing refractive power maps using a region-growing algorithm. Difference maps were generated from slit images and compared for interval change in corneal elevation, tangential curvature, and refractive power. The difference maps were also averaged (mean difference maps) for each target population. A Zernike decomposition of corneal first-surface elevation was performed to compare postoperative values with baseline parameters. RESULTS: The mean postoperative refractive sphere at 6 months was -0.17 diopter (D) +/- 0.66 (SD) and +0.25 +/- 0.85 D in the myopia group and hyperopia group, respectively, and the mean postoperative astigmatism, -0.49 +/- 0.32 D and -0.65 +/- 0.52 D, respectively (P=.11). Based on the refractive power maps, the mean preoperative and postoperative myopic FOZ was 33.09 +/- 7.30 mm(2) and 30.94 +/- 5.43 mm(2), respectively, and the mean hyperopic FOZ, 33.19 +/- 7.96 mm(2) and 37.99 +/- 6.88 mm(2), respectively. After LASIK, there was an increase in magnitude of negative anterior corneal surface spherical-like Zernike values in the myopia group (P<.0001) and an increase in magnitude of positive spherical-like Zernike values in the hyperopia group. Postoperatively, significant induction of corneal surface horizontal coma was noted in hyperopic eyes (P<.0001). Hyperopic eyes, on average, had larger topographic FOZs after LASIK, but with less uniformity of curvature and power change than myopic eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperopic LASIK, which involves more transition points along the ablation diameter, produced a less uniform topographic FOZ than typical myopic treatments. Less predictable biomechanical changes from the circumferential release of tension on collagen bundles after midperipheral hyperopic ablation and greater variation in beam centration and the angle of incidence may contribute to the greater variability in corneal curvature and power in hyperopic LASIK than in myopic LASIK.     

Contrast sensitivity evaluation after laser in situ keratomileusis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity. DESIGN: Prospective, observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twelve eyes, in 65 patients with myopia and myopia with astigmatism, who underwent LASIK. TESTING AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity using the Snellen visual acuity chart and contrast sensitivity using the CSV 1000 (Vector Vision, Dayton OH) was tested before surgery and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery in patients who underwent LASIK. RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity was depressed for patient eyes with spherical equivalence (SE) between -1.25 diopters (D) and -13.75 D, at 12 cycles/degree for at least 3 months and at 18 cycles/degree for 1 week after LASIK. For patient eyes with SE between -1.25 D and -6.00 D, contrast sensitivity was depressed only at 12 cycles/degree for at least 3 months after LASIK. For patient eyes with SE between -6.00 D and -13.75 D, contrast sensitivity was depressed at 6, 12, and 18 cycles/degree 1 week after LASIK but returned toward preoperative levels by 1 month after surgery. Despite the slight decreases in contrast sensitivity, all scores were still within the range of normal values except for 12 cycles/degree for 3 months and 18 cycles/degree at 1 week after surgery in the high myopia group. Although highly myopic patients, compared with patients with low myopia, had slightly less BCVA before surgery, both groups maintained their preoperative BCVA at all postoperative visits. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, we conclude that LASIK has little effect on BCVA and contrast sensitivity for up to 3 months after surgery.     

Measurement of corneal curvature change after mechanical laser in situ keratomileusis flap creation and femtosecond laser flap creation

PURPOSE: To compare the change in corneal curvature from the predicted surgical radius (sculpted in the corneal stroma) and the measured postoperative radius of the first surface of the cornea after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia correction using 2 methods of flap creation: mechanical microkeratome and femtosecond laser. SETTING: Vissum-Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, Alicante, Spain. METHODS: This retrospective consecutive nonrandomized comparative interventional case series included 85 eyes with myopia or myopic astigmatism treated using the Esiris excimer laser (Schwind). Patients were divided into 2 groups. One group had LASIK with an M2 microkeratome (Moria) (mechanical LASIK group) and the other, with a femtosecond laser (IntraLase FS, IntraLase Corp.) (femtosecond LASIK group). The relationship between the postsurgical corneal radius and the predicted sculpted radius as well as the mean value of the percentage change in the curvature radius were analyzed to obtain the effect on the refractive defect in each group. RESULTS: There were 44 eyes in the mechanical LASIK group and 41 eyes in the femtosecond LASIK group. A high correlation was found between the final corneal radius and the predicted sculpted radius in both groups (r(2) = 0.85). The mean percentage change in the curvature radius was -3.6% in the mechanical LASIK group and -1.6% in the femtosecond LASIK group (P<.001). The mean estimated refractive change was 1.2 diopters (D) and 0.8 D, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The refractive change in corneal curvature, which related to the biomechanical response of the corneal surface after the flap cut and repositioning, was lower after femtosecond laser LASIK than after LASIK performed using a mechanical microkeratome. Estimations of refractive change induced by this response should be taken into account in surgery design.