Hexagonal keratotomy for correction of low hyperopia: a prospective study

ABSTRACT

Thirty - six eyes of 21 patients [age range 23 to 42, mean 35 years] with hyperopia ranging from + 2.0 to +5.0 diopt diopters [D] sperical equivalert [SE] [men +3059D], a best corrected visual acuity of 20/20 and up to 1.50D of astigmatism underwent hexagonal keratotomy as an investigational procedure. A 5.5 mm optical zone [OZ; the transverse diameter of the hexagon] induced a mean change in refraction of 2.69 SE; a 5 mm OZ resulted in an average of 3.11D SE change; and a 4.5 mm OZ gave an average change of 3.44D SE. At the last visit after hexagonal keratotomy [at 6 to 12 months, average 10.9 months], the average remaining hyperopia was + 0.49 D SE [range - 0.62D to + 2.0D]. Additional astigmatic keratotomy was performed in 19 eyes [52.8%] 6 months after hexagonal keratotomy; this reduced mean induced astigmatism for all eyes from 1.25D to 0.21D. At the final visit after either one or two procedures, uncorrected visual acuity was >/= 20/40 in 94.4% of all eyes. Postoperative refraction in 33 eyes [91.7%] was between - 0.62 and + 1.0D SE, and remained at more than + 1.0D hyperopic in the remaining eyes. Best corrected visual acuity decreased by a maximum of one line in 36.1% of eyes. Microperforation occurred in two eyes [5.6%]. The main side effects were persistent glare in three eyes of two patients [8.3%] and starburst in five eyes of three patients [13.9%]. Further follow - up is required to assess the safety, long - term stability and efficacy of hexagonal keratotomy