ABSTRACT
Purpose: To assess the accuracy, efficacy, stability and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia and compare the pre- and post-operative changes in higher-order aberrations after wavefront-guided (WF) and standard (STD) LASIK done using the Pulzar Z1, a 213-nm wavelength solid-state laser, and determine their effects on visual acuity and refractive outcomes. Methods: This a retrospective case series composed of 80 eyes (40 patients) that had LASIK in an out-patient refractive surgery center in Manila, Philippines. Outcome measured were pre and post-operative manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), keratometry, root-mean-square (RMS) values, flap and ablation related complications. Results: The mean UDVA improved from 20/400 pre-operatively to 20/25 post-operatively. Thirty six of the 40 eyes (90%) treated with STD LASIK and 39 of the 40 eyes (97.5%) treated with WF LASIK had UDVA of 20/30 or better at 1 year post-operatively. There was a significant decrease in spherical equivalent manifest refraction post-operatively in all patients. The average spherical equivalent at 1 year is -0.43D±0.64. After twelve months of follow-up, 85.5% (34 out of the 40 eyes) of those who underwent STD LASIK and 77.5% (31 out of 40 eyes) who underwent WF LASIK had postoperative manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) of -1.0 to +1.0D. The mean difference in the attempted versus achieved refraction was not significant between the 2 groups (p = 0.32). At 12 months post-operatively, seven eyes (17.5%) gained 1 line in the WF-guided LASIK, while the rest of the eyes either showed no change in CDVA or lost 1-2 Snellen lines. The total RMS generally increased postoperatively for WF LASIK while decreased for STD LASIK, but the mean RMS difference from the pre- and post-operative values between the 2 groups were not statistically significant. None of the eyes developed flap complications during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Refractive surgery using the Pulzar Z1 213-nm wavelength solid-state laser is an effective and safe procedure in the treatment of myopia. Wavefront-guided LASIK offers no advantage over STD LASIK in improving higher-order aberrations and in achieving better visual and refractive outcomes.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of surface fluid on the ablation rate and efficacy of 213-nm solid-state laser during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: Twelve rabbits (24 eyes) underwent myopic PRK for the correction of 10 diopters using 213-nm solid-state laser. Photoablation was performed with removal of corneal surface fluid using the Weckcel(R) sponge every 5 seconds in one eye and without removal of corneal surface fluid in the control eye. The mean central corneal thickness (CCT) was evaluated preoperatively, and at 1 week, 4 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean CCT of group 1 (with removal of corneal surface fluid) were 361.3+/-13.9 micrometer preoperatively and 321.4+/-18.5 micrometer at 4 weeks postoperatively. The mean CCT of group 2 (without removal of surface fluid) were 358.7+/-8.9 micrometer preoperatively and 338.4+/-12.0 micrometer at 4 weeks postoperatively. The mean ablation depths were 39.8+/-7.4 micrometer in group 1 and 20.3+/-5.8 micrometer in group 2 at 4 weeks postoperatively p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Induced corneal surface fluid during PRK may influence the ablation efficacy and accuracy of solid-state laser. This result should be considered in clinical trialswith 213-nm solid-state laser, especially in high myopes.