The Effect of Larger and Blend Zone Ablation on Optical Aberrations in Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis (LASEK)

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the postoperative high order aberration after LASEK and to evaluate the effects of LASEK on high order aberration using larger and blend zone ablation. METHODS: Twenty patients out of 28 patients who received treatment were followed up for 3 months. In each case, one eye received conventional ablation LASEK and the other eye received larger and blend zone ablation LASEK. Preoperative and postoperative RMS (root mean square) of Bille aberration maps measurements were made with WaveScan Wavefront(TM) system (VISX, Santa Clara, U.S.A.). RESULTS: RMS of Bille aberration maps at post operation 1 month and post operation 3 months displayed a statistically significant increase compared with preoperative value. (p<0.05) In post operation 3 month, larger and blend zone ablation LASEK treated eyes displayed a statistically significant lower post operative RMS compared to those of conventional ablation LASEK.(p<0.05) CONCLUSIONS: High order aberrations at post operation 1 month and post operation 3 months increased compared with preoperative value. High order aberration after LASEK with larger and blend zone ablation are less pronounced compared to those associated with conventional ablation LASEK. By using larger and blend zone ablation it is possible to minimize the high order aberration of the eye and improve visual results for patients undergoing LASEK.