Clinical results of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis 3 months after surgery

Repeatability and validity of Zywave aberrometer measurements

PURPOSE

To study the repeatability of Zywave aberrometer (Bausch & Lomb) measurements and compare the measurements with those of subjective refraction and noncycloplegic and cycloplegic autorefractions in a clinical setting.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

METHODS

Subjective manifest refraction, noncycloplegic autorefraction, cycloplegic autorefraction, and Zywave aberrometer measurements were performed in 20 eyes of 20 myopic patients. Three consecutive Zywave measurements were performed with and without dilation of the pupil. The mean difference and 95% limits of agreement among the measurement methods were determined for dilated and 3.5 mm pupils. The repeatability coefficient of the Zywave aberrometer measurements was determined.

RESULTS

The mean differences in spherical equivalent (SE), sphere, and cylinder between subjective refraction and Zywave predicted phoropter refraction (PPR) with a dilated pupil were -1.10 diopters (D) +/- 0.46 (SD) (P <.001), -1.08 +/- 0.44 D (P <.001), and -0.02 +/- 0.37 D (P =.87), respectively (paired Student t test). After the data were converted to a 3.5 mm pupil, the mean differences were -0.55 +/- 0.48 D (P <.001), -0.50 +/- 0.49 D (P <.001), and -0.16 +/- 0.50 D (P =.15), respectively. The mean difference in SE between autorefraction and cycloplegic autorefraction versus subjective refraction was +0.18 +/- 0.71 D (P =.27) and +0.35 +/- 0.62 D (P =.02), respectively. The mean difference in SE between cycloplegic autorefraction and Zywave PPR with a dilated pupil was -1.44 +/- 0.79 D (P <.001). The repeatability coefficient of Zywave PPR was +/-0.25 D for SE, +/-0.29 D for sphere, and +/-0.29 D for cylinder.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjective refraction measurements are slightly more myopic than cycloplegic autorefraction measurements. With a dilated pupil, the Zywave measurements were significantly more myopic than subjective refractions and even more myopic than cycloplegic autorefractions. Zywave measurements and subjective refractions were in better agreement with a 3.5 mm pupil. The repeatability of Zywave aberrometer measurements is adequate for lower-order aberrations.

Wavefront-guided versus standard laser in situ keratomileusis to correct low to moderate myopia

To evaluate the 6-month refractive outcomes of wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) (Zyoptix, Bausch & Lomb) versus standard LASIK (PlanoScan, Bausch & Lomb). Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. In a prospective randomized study, 12 patients with myopia had Zyoptix wavefront-guided LASIK in 1 eye and PlanoScan LASIK in the contralateral eye. The safety, efficacy, predictability, stability, optical zone size, and ablation depth were evaluated. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) of the subjective manifest refraction was -3.88 diopters (D) +/- 1.92 (SD) (Zyoptix) and -4.35 +/- 2.11 D (PlanoScan). Six months postoperatively, 8% of PlanoScan patients and 16% of Zyoptix patients gained at least 2 lines of best corrected visual acuity; the safety index was 1.12 in the Zyoptix group and 1.08 in the PlanoScan group. An SE of +/-1.00 D and +/-0.50 D was achieved by 100% and 92%, respectively, in both groups. There were 2 undercorrections in the Zyoptix group and 1 undercorrection in the PlanoScan group. In the Zyoptix group, 100% had a UCVA of 20/40 and 67% of 20/20 and in the PlanoScan group, 100% and 83%, respectively. The efficacy index was 0.87 and 0.93 in the Zyoptix group and PlanoScan group, respectively. The mean optical zone 6 months postoperatively was 6.16 +/- 0.34 mm in the PlanoScan group and 6.23 +/- 0.41 mm in the Zyoptix group (P =.67). The ablation depth per diopter of defocus equivalent was 13.5 +/- 4.6 microm/D and 8.6 +/- 4.4 microm/D, respectively (P =.01).An excellent safety index was achieved with the Zyoptix and PlanoScan treatments. The efficacy index was marginally lower for Zyoptix treatments as a result of 2 undercorrections. The ablation depth in the Zyoptix group per diopter of defocus equivalent was significantly lower than in the PlanoScan group. Further refinements in defining the ablation algorithms may increase the efficacy index.

Induced optical aberrations following formation of a laser in situ keratomileusis flap

PURPOSE

To determine how refractive error, visual acuity, and high-order aberrations (3rd- and 4th-order) are affected by the formation of a lamellar corneal flap during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

SETTING

University refractive surgery center.

METHODS

The effect of lamellar corneal flap formation was analyzed in 15 myopic eyes (mean preoperative refraction -4.72 diopters [D] [range -1.25 to -7.25 D]). The flap was created using a 2-step procedure: (1). a nasally hinged lamellar corneal flap was created; (2). the flap was lifted and stromal ablation performed 2 months after the flap was made. A Hartmann-Shack aberrometer was used to measure the aberrations.

RESULTS

There was no significant change in the refractive error (spherical equivalent pre-flap -4.72 +/- 1.99 D and post-flap -4.62 +/- 1.99 D [P =.28]) or visual acuity (pre-flap uncorrected visual acuity [UCVA] 0.07 and best corrected visual acuity [BCVA] 0.96; post-flap UCVA 0.08 and BCVA 0.95 [P =.16 and P =.33, respectively]). A statistically significant increase in total higher-order wavefront aberrations was observed following flap formation (root mean square pre-flap 0.344 +/- 0.125 and post-flap 0.440 +/- 0.221 [P =.04]).

CONCLUSION

Flap formation during LASIK can modify the eye's existing natural higher-order aberrations (especially spherical and coma-like aberrations along the axis of the flap's hinge), while visual acuity and refractive error remain unaffected.

Aberration Generation by Contact Lenses With Aspheric and Asymmetric Surfaces

PURPOSE

We explored the potential of aberration correction in the human eye by using a new generation of soft contact lenses with aspheric and asymmetric surfaces.

METHODS

Soft contact lens samples were designed with one asymmetrical surface (front) and one spherical (back) to produce predetermined amounts of desired pure defocus, astigmatism, trefoil, coma, and spherical aberration. Contact lens wavefront aberrations were measured ex vivo using a Fizeau-Tolanski interferometer and compared with the in vivo wavefronts obtained by subtracting the aberrations of the eye with and without the contact lenses. These second set of measurements were obtained using a Shack-Hartmann sensor.

RESULTS

We found that an aberration-free contact lens sample induced in the eye a small amount of residual aberration. We obtained a good match between the ex vivo and in vivo wavefront measurements for most of the samples of the contact lenses.

CONCLUSIONS

The aberrations generated by soft contact lenses on the eye were predictable. Rotations and translations of the contact lenses with respect to correct position on the eye were, however, the main limitation for precise correction of the ocular aberrations.

Aberration-sensing and Wavefront-guided Laser in situ Keratomileusis: Management of Decentered Ablation

PURPOSE

To clarify the feasibility of aberration-sensing and wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to manage grossly decentered ablation and to discuss the limitations of the technology.

METHODS

Three patients with previous decentrations of the ablation zone between 1.5 to 2.0 mm were scheduled for wavefront-guided LASIK. All patients reported monocular diplopia and halos. Wavefront aberrations were measured with a Tscherning-type aberrometer. Laser ablation was done with a WaveLight Allegretto in a one-step procedure with ablation profiles calculated only from the individual wavefront map. Decentrations were determined from corneal topography.

RESULTS

Three months after surgery, patient WM and patient SU had gained uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. The root mean square-wavefront error decreased up to 61% and 33%, respectively, for total and higher order aberrations (Zernike modes of 3rd order and higher). There was significant enlargement of the optical zone determined by corneal topography, and both patients no longer reported diplopia and halos at 3 months postoperatively. The optical aberration of the third patient (RE), after a 5.00-D overcorrection with a 2-mm decentration, was too high for aberration-sensing; retinal images obtained from the wavefront device were too smeared and not of sufficient contrast. In addition, this patient had a residual corneal thickness of 416 microm and thus wavefront-guided LASIK was not done.

CONCLUSIONS

Wavefront-guided LASIK offers a new way of managing grossly decentered laser ablations. Unfortunately, there are still patients who have aberrations too large for wavefront sensing or with other clinical limitations such as a residual corneal thickness too thin for further treatment.

Ocular wave-front aberration statistics in a normal young population

Monochromatic ocular aberrations in 108 eyes of a normal young population (n=59) were studied. The wave-front aberration were obtained under natural conditions using a near-infrared Shack-Hartmann wave-front sensor. For this population and a 5 mm pupil, more than 99% of the root-mean square wave-front error is contained in the first four orders of a Zernike expansion and about 91% corresponds only to the second order. Comparison of wave-fronts aberrations from right and left eye in 35 subjects, showed a good correlation between most of the second- and third-order terms and a slight (but not clear) tendency for mirror symmetry between eyes.

Management of myopic astigmatism with phakic intraocular lens implantation

A 48-year-old woman presented with a manifest refraction of -9.25 -2.25 x 98 that resulted in a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/20(-2) in the right eye. She was contact lens intolerant but was not a good candidate for laser in situ keratomileusis because of a thin cornea. A phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) with a toric optic was implanted with no operative complications. One day after surgery, the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/15. Five months postoperatively, the UCVA in the operated eye was 20/15 with a manifest refraction of +0.25 -0.25 x 60 and a BCVA of 20/15. No changes to the crystalline lens or anterior lens capsule were seen. This is the first report of implantation of a toric phakic IOL in North America.

Spot size and quality of scanning laser correction of higher-order wavefront aberrations

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of laser spot size on the outcome of aberration correction with scanning laser corneal ablation.

SETTING

Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

METHODS

Corrections of wavefront aberrations of Zernike modes from the second to eighth order were simulated. Gaussian and top-hat beams of 0.6 to 2.0 mm full-width-half-maximum diameters were modeled. The fractional correction and secondary aberration (distortion) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Using a distortion/correction ratio of less than 0.5 as a cutoff for adequate performance, a 2.0 mm or smaller beam was adequate for spherocylindrical correction (Zernike second order), a 1.0 mm or smaller beam was adequate for correction of up to fourth-order Zernike modes, and a 0.6 mm or smaller beam was adequate for correction of up to sixth-order Zernike modes.

CONCLUSIONS

Since ocular aberrations above the Zernike fourth order are relatively insignificant in normal eyes, current scanning lasers with a beam diameter of 1.0 mm or less are theoretically capable of eliminating most higher-order aberrations.

Calculated impact of higher-order monochromatic aberrations on retinal image quality in a population of human eyes

We calculated the impact of higher-order aberrations on retinal image quality and the magnitude of the visual benefit expected from their correction in a large population of human eyes. Wave aberrations for both eyes of 109 normal subjects and 4 keratoconic patients were measured for 3-, 4-, and 5.7-mm pupils with a Shack-Hartmann sensor. Retinal image quality was estimated by means of the modulation transfer function (MTF) in white light. The visual benefit was calculated as the ratio of the MTF when the monochromatic higher-order aberrations are corrected to the MTF corresponding to the best correction of defocus and astigmatism. On average, the impact of the higher-order aberrations for a 5.7-mm pupil in normal eyes is similar to an equivalent defocus of approximately 0.3 D. The average visual benefit for normal eyes at 16 c/deg is approximately 2.5 for a 5.7-mm pupil and is negligible for small pupils (1.25 for a 3-mm pupil). The benefit varies greatly among eyes, with some normal eyes showing almost no benefit and others a benefit higher than 4 at 16 c/deg across a 5.7-mm pupil. The benefit for keratoconic eyes is much larger. The benefit at 16 c/deg is 12 and 3 for 5.7- and 3-mm pupils, respectively, averaged across four keratoconics. These theoretical benefits could be realized in normal viewing conditions but only under specific conditions.

Calculated impact of higher-order monochromatic aberrations on retinal image quality in a population of human eyes

We calculated the impact of higher-order aberrations on retinal image quality and the magnitude of the visual benefit expected from their correction in a large population of human eyes. Wave aberrations for both eyes of 109 normal subjects and 4 keratoconic patients were measured for 3-, 4-, and 5.7-mm pupils with a Shack-Hartmann sensor. Retinal image quality was estimated by means of the modulation transfer function (MTF) in white light. The visual benefit was calculated as the ratio of the MTF when the monochromatic higher-order aberrations are corrected to the MTF corresponding to the best correction of defocus and astigmatism. On average, the impact of the higher-order aberrations for a 5.7-mm pupil in normal eyes is similar to an equivalent defocus of approximately 0.3 D. The average visual benefit for normal eyes at 16 c/deg is approximately 2.5 for a 5.7-mm pupil and is negligible for small pupils (1.25 for a 3-mm pupil). The benefit varies greatly among eyes, with some normal eyes showing almost no benefit and others a benefit higher than 4 at 16 c/deg across a 5.7-mm pupil. The benefit for keratoconic eyes is much larger. The benefit at 16 c/deg is 12 and 3 for 5.7- and 3-mm pupils, respectively, averaged across four keratoconics. These theoretical benefits could be realized in normal viewing conditions but only under specific conditions.

Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia and astigmatism: safety and efficacy: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

OBJECTIVE

This document describes laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia and astigmatism and examines the evidence to answer key questions about the efficacy and safety of the procedure.

METHODS

A literature search conducted for the years 1968 to 2000 retrieved 486 citations and an update search conducted in June 2001 yielded an additional 243 articles. The panel members reviewed 160 of these articles and selected 47 for the panel methodologist to review and rate according to the strength of evidence. A Level I rating is assigned to properly conducted, well-designed, randomized clinical trials; a Level II rating is assigned to well-designed cohort and case-control studies; and a Level III rating is assigned to case series and poorly designed prospective and retrospective studies, including case-control studies.

RESULTS

The assessment describes randomized controlled trials published in 1997 or later (Level I evidence) and more recent comparative and noncomparative case series (Level II and Level III evidence), focusing on results for safety and effectiveness. It is difficult to extrapolate results from these studies that are comparable to current practices with the most recent generation lasers because of the rapid evolution of LASIK technology and techniques. It is also difficult to compare studies because of variations in the range of preoperative myopia, follow-up periods, lasers, nomograms, microkeratomes and techniques, the time frame of the study, and the investigators' experience.

CONCLUSIONS

For low to moderate myopia, results from studies in the literature have shown that LASIK is effective and predictable in terms of obtaining very good to excellent uncorrected visual acuity and that it is safe in terms of minimal loss of visual acuity. For moderate to high myopia (>6.0 D), the results are more variable, given the wide range of preoperative myopia. The results are similar for treated eyes with mild to moderate degrees of astigmatism (<2.0 D). Serious adverse complications leading to significant permanent visual loss such as infections and corneal ectasia probably occur rarely in LASIK procedures; however, side effects such as dry eyes, night time starbursts, and reduced contrast sensitivity occur relatively frequently. There were insufficient data in prospective, comparative trials to describe the relative advantages and disadvantages of different lasers or nomograms.

LASIK complications: etiology, management, and prevention

Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a rapidly evolving ophthalmic surgical procedure. Several anatomic and refractive complications have been identified. Anatomic complications include corneal flap abnormalities, epithelial ingrowth, and corneal ectasia. Refractive complications include unexpected refractive outcomes, irregular astigmatism, decentration, visual aberrations, and loss of vision. Infectious keratitis, dry eyes, and diffuse lamellar keratitis may also occur following LASIK. By examining the etiology, management, and prevention of these complications, the refractive surgeon may be able to improve visual outcomes and prevent vision-threatening problems. Reporting outcomes and mishaps of LASIK surgery will help refine our approach to the management of emerging complications.