Comparison of the effect of LASIK parameters on the percent tissue altered (1-dimensional metric) versus percent volume altered (3-dimensional metric)

BCLA CLEAR Presbyopia: Management with corneal techniques

Corneal techniques for enhancing near and intermediate vision to correct presbyopia include surgical and contact lens treatment modalities. Broad approaches used independently or in combination include correcting one eye for distant and the other for near or intermediate vision, (termed monovision or mini-monovision depending on the degree of anisometropia) and/or extending the eye's depth of focus [1]. This report reviews the evidence for the treatment profile, safety, and efficacy of the current range of corneal techniques for managing presbyopia. The visual needs and expectations of the patient, their ocular characteristics, and prior history of surgery are critical considerations for patient selection and preoperative evaluation. Contraindications to refractive surgery include unstable refraction, corneal abnormalities, inadequate corneal thickness for the proposed ablation depth, ocular and systemic co-morbidities, uncontrolled mental health issues and unrealistic patient expectations. Laser refractive options for monovision include surface/stromal ablation techniques and keratorefractive lenticule extraction. Alteration of spherical aberration and multifocal ablation profiles are the primary means for increasing ocular depth of focus, using surface and non-surface laser refractive techniques. Corneal inlays use either small aperture optics to increase depth of field or modify the anterior corneal curvature to induce corneal multifocality. In presbyopia correction by conductive keratoplasty, radiofrequency energy is applied to the mid-peripheral corneal stroma, leading to mid-peripheral corneal shrinkage and central corneal steepening. Hyperopic orthokeratology lens fitting can induce spherical aberration and correct some level of presbyopia. Postoperative management, and consideration of potential complications, varies according to technique applied and the time to restore corneal stability, but a minimum of 3 months of follow-up is recommended after corneal refractive procedures. Ongoing follow-up is important in orthokeratology and longer-term follow-up may be required in the event of late complications following corneal inlay surgery.

Update on contraindications in laser corneal refractive surgery

More than 25 years of experience with refractive surgery techniques (since the FDA [Food and Drug Administration] of the United States approved the use of the excimer laser in the remodeling of the cornea in 1995), added to the technological advances in ophthalmology (femtosecond laser, topography-guided ablation, anterior segment imaging systems) and increased understanding of refractive errors, higher order aberrations, and corneal biomechanics make corneal laser refractive surgery a safe method and effective for the correction of these defects. However, to date, there are still certain circumstances that represent a contraindication for its application, in addition to others that could be associated with complications, and that must be carefully analyzed. This review analyzes the current contraindications for laser corneal refractive surgery listed in the Preferred Practice Protocols (PPPs) of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Spanish Ophthalmology Society. These protocols are based on the best scientific evidence currently available and allow clear recommendations to be drawn, improving the safety profile of these techniques. Contraindications can be differentiated into relative or absolute; among the latter are: age less than 18 years, the absence of refractive stability and the existence of certain ocular pathologies (including certain corneal dystrophies, keratoconus, poorly controlled dry eye) or systemic pathologies (active autoimmune processes or poorly controlled diabetes mellitus). Other circumstances such as the use of certain drugs (amiodarone, isotretinoin), extreme values of mean central keratometry and pachymetry, history of previous uveitis or glaucoma, pregnancy and lactation, are considered relative contraindications according to the PPPs. However, there are studies that demonstrate the safety of refractive surgery in some of these cases.

Comparison of 6.0 mm versus 6.5 mm Optical Zone on Visual Outcomes after LASIK

Previous studies have demonstrated safety and efficacy using 6.0 and 6.5 mm optical zones in the WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser System but have not evaluated if differing optical zone sizes influence refractive outcomes. This study examines visual outcomes between two study populations undergoing LASIK with either a 6.0 mm (1332 patients) or 6.5 mm (1332 patients) optical zone. Outcomes were further stratified by severity of myopia (low, moderate, and high) and astigmatism (low and high). Patients were matched by age and preoperative manifest sphere and cylinder. Postoperative measurements were then compared. The 6.5 mm group demonstrated better postoperative manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE), manifest sphere, and absolute value of the difference in actual and target spherical equivalent refraction (|∆ SEQ|), within the total population, moderate myopia, and low astigmatism groups, but this did not lead to improved postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) or best corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). Though astigmatic correction and postoperative angle of error were similar between optical zone sizes, they were significantly worse with high myopia. Overall, this study demonstrates differences in visual outcomes between the 6.0 and 6.5 mm optical zone sizes that may warrant consideration; however, essentially, the results are comparable between them.

The Percent Volume Altered in Correction of Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism With PRK, LASIK, and SMILE

PURPOSE

To determine the volumes altered during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism.

METHODS

The volumes of stromal tissue affected by surgical correction of pure and astigmatic myopia were calculated in this theoretical study for PRK, LASIK, and SMILE treatments. These results were then used to calculate representative values for percent volume altered (PVA) restricted to stromal corneal tissue.

RESULTS

For the same spherical equivalent, there were remarkable differences between the amount of tissue removed between pure and compound myopic corrections. The PVA of LASIK procedures was the largest, whereas the PVA was comparable between PRK and SMILE. PRK had the lowest PVA for low myopic and compound astigmatic corrections and SMILE had the lowest PVA for high myopic and compound myopic astigmatism procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The comparison of volumes of tissue removed and PVA values of different treatment modalities provided in this study may give clinicians an improved understanding about the potential influence of geometrical parameters of those methods on the biomechanics of the cornea. [J Refract Surg. 2020;36(12):844-850.].

Study on change in corneal biomechanics and effect of percent tissue altered in myopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis

Purpose

To evaluate corneal biomechanical changes and their correlation with the percentage of tissue altered (PTA) in myopic femtosecond (FS)-flap LASIK.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal observational study of 80 eyes of FS LASIK. Demographic details, LASIK parameters, preoperative and postoperative (day 1, month 1, 3, and 6), UCVA, BCVA, refraction, corneal topography, corneal hysteresis (CH), and a corneal resistance factor (CRF) were noted. Change in CH and CRF and its correlation with PTA were analyzed. Data were analyzed in three subgroups [subgroup 1: PTA 23 to <27%; subgroup 2: 27 to <33%; subgroup 3: 33 to <40%].

Results

FS LASIK for MRSE -3.5D ± 1.6D with mean PTA of 31.6 ± 4.4% (range 23.8-39.8%), showed statistically significant decrease in CH and CRF. Mean CH decreased from a preoperative value of 10.4 ± 1.9 to 8.1 ± 1.1; mean CRF from 10.5 ± 1.6 to 7.5 ± 1.3 at 6-months postoperative period, respectively. Mean preoperative CH decreased by 25%, 24%, 23%, and 21% and mean preoperative CRF decreased by 34%, 28%, 28%, and 28% at postoperative day 1, month 1, 3, and 6 follow-ups. Mean CH and CRF showed a significant negative correlation with PTA (CH: r = - 0.33 [P = <0.0001], CRF: r = -0.34 [P = <0.001]. Subgroup analysis noted greater decrease in CRF and CH in eyes with higher PTA (subgroup 3).

Conclusion

Myopic FS LASIK causes a decrease in corneal biomechanics with a significant negative correlation with PTA indicating a greater decrease in corneal biomechanics with higher PTA.

Could the percent tissue altered (PTA) index be considered as a unique factor in ectasia risk assessment?

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, predictability and stability of the percent tissue altered (PTA) formula in post-LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) ectasia risk assessment.

METHODS

One hundred and ninety-three eyes from 104 patients with low to moderate myopia that underwent femtosecond LASIK were included in this retrospective, observational and longitudinal study. Seventy-eight eyes were classified in the higher-PTA (> 40%) group and 115 eyes in the lower-PTA (< 40%) group. Spherical manifest refraction, cylinder manifest refraction, logMAR and Snellen previous corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), anterior face Baiocchi Calossi Versaci index (BCVf) and posterior face (BCVb), central corneal thickness (CCT), estimated residual stromal bed (RSB), spherical aberration (SA) and root mean square (RMS) were reported. All patients were followed up for 4 years.

RESULTS

In the higher-PTA group, 97% of eyes reported UDVA 20/20 or better, and in the lower-PTA group, all eyes achieved 20/20 or better. No group reported decreased visual acuity. The higher-PTA group obtained 55% of eyes within ± 0.50 D and 90% within ± 1.00 D; and the lower-PTA group obtained 63% of eyes within ± 0.50 D and 90% within ± 1.00 D. Both groups showed a refraction correction of 0.50 D or more in 36% and 31% of eyes, in the higher-PTA and the lower-PTA groups, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Percent tissue altered index should not be considered as a unique variable in post-LASIK ectasia risk assessment. Ectasia susceptibility screening should integrate tomography and biomechanical variables in order to help us to decide any refractive treatment choice and increasing refractive surgery safety.

Comparison of 9.0 and 9.2 mm Flap Diameter Options of Femtosecond Laser In-Situ Keratomileusis for Hypermetropia and Hypermetropic Astigmatism

Aim

To compare the postoperative one-year outcomes of asphericity (Q) and high order aberration (HOA) values of 9.0 and 9.2 mm diameter flap groups in hypermetropia and hypermetropic astigmatism subjects who underwent femtosecond laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Materials and Methods

The study included 68 eyes of 34 patients. A femtosecond laser platform (Allegrato Wave, Wavelight AG, Erlangen, Germany) was used for flap cutting. Corneal stroma was ablated using Wavelight EX500 with wavefront-optimized profile (WaveLight GmbH, Erlangen, Germany). 9.0 mm flap diameter was randomly chosen for one eye, and 9.2 mm flap diameter was chosen for the fellow eye. Two eyes of the patients who used two different flap diameters were enrolled into two different groups. Corneal stroma was ablated using Wavelight EX500 with wavefront-optimized profile (WaveLight GmbH, Erlangen, Germany). Postoperative one-year outcomes of Q and HOA values of 9.0 and 9.2 mm diameter flap groups were compared statistically.

Results

The preoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalents of the 9.0 and 9.2 mm diameter flap groups were 1.86 ± 1.81 D and 1.69 ± 1.99 D (p=0.754). No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. At postoperative one-year, Q values were 0.98 ± 0.13 D and 0.91 ± 0.15 D (p=0.029). HOAs including horizontal and vertical coma, horizontal and vertical trefoil, spherical aberration, and second order vertical coma were not significantly different (p > 0.05 for all). Total HOA values were 1.62 ± 0.14 and 1.40 ± 0.16, in the 9.0 and 9.2 mm diameter flap groups, respectively (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Both the 9.0 and 9.2 mm diameter flap options in femtosecond LASIK are equally safe and effective. Many of the HOA values are similar in both options, and better results were provided in terms of total HOA and Q values with the 9.2 mm diameter flap option. This study was registered with trial registration number 118-011.