Higher-Order Aberrations and Visual Acuity with Wavefront-Guided and Wavefront-Optimized Ablation in Laser Keratorefractive Surgery

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare higher-order aberrations (HOAs) and visual acuity after wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized laser keratorefractive surgery. METHODS: This retrospective study consisted of consecutive cases of eyes that underwent wavefront-guided (VISX S4 CustomVue(R)) or wavefront-optimized (WaveLight(R) EX500) laser assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Preoperative and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), and preoperative and 3 month postoperative HOAs were compared. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in UCVA, BCVA, MRSE, or total HOAs in either the LASIK and PRK groups (all p > 0.05). Induced amount of spherical aberration (SA) was significantly lower in the wavefront-optimized LASIK and PRK than wavefront-guided LASIK and PRK. CONCLUSIONS: In laser keratorefractive surgery, wavefront-guided and wavefront-optimized platforms produced equivalent visual outcomes and no differences in total HOAs. However, the wavefront-optimized platform caused less spherical aberration 3 months after operation.