Topographic assessment of irregular astigmatism after photorefractive keratectomy

Refractive Outcomes Following Trifocal Intraocular Lens Implantation in Post-Myopic LASIK and PRK Eyes

Purpose

To assess refractive outcomes of a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in post-myopic laser refractive surgery eyes.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of 35 eyes (21 patients), with history of laser refractive surgery, who were implanted with a trifocal IOL. Surgeon’s standard procedure included femtosecond laser (FLACS), digital registration, and intraoperative aberrometry (IA). The primary outcome measure was absolute prediction error. Secondary measures were refractive outcomes, postoperative residual astigmatism (PRA), monocular uncorrected visual acuity at distance (UDVA; 4m), intermediate (UIVA; 60cm), and near (UNVA; 40cm), and monocular best-corrected visual acuity at distance (BCVA; 4m).

Results

At 3 months postoperatively, 71% and 68% of eyes had absolute prediction error 0.5 D or less with IA and preoperative planning respectively, which was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The PRA was 0.5 D or less in 91% of eyes with IA and 56% of eyes with preoperative planning. The PRA differences between IA and preoperative planning were statistically significant (p < 0.002). The percentage of eyes 20/20 or better for monocular UCVA, BCVA, UIVA, and UNVA was 29%, 77%, 78%, and 66%, respectively. Absolute prediction error 0.5 D or less was significantly higher in post-LASIK eyes versus post-PRK eyes (p < 0.003), at 85% and 56% of eyes, respectively.

Conclusion

Implantation with a trifocal IOL can provide acceptable refractive and visual outcomes with minimal residual astigmatism in post-myopic LASIK and PRK eyes.

Experimental evaluation of stiffening effect induced by UVA/Riboflavin corneal cross-linking using intact porcine eye globes

UVA/riboflavin corneal cross-linking (CXL) is a common used approach to treat progressive keratoconus. This study aims to investigate the alteration of corneal stiffness following CXL by mimicking the inflation of the eye under the in vivo loading conditions. Seven paired porcine eye globes were involved in the inflation test to examine the corneal behaviour. Cornea-only model was constructed using the finite element method, without considering the deformation contribution from sclera and limbus. Inverse analysis was conducted to calibrate the non-linear material behaviours in order to reproduce the inflation test. The corneal stress and strain values were then extracted from the finite element models and tangent modulus was calculated under stress level at 0.03 MPa. UVA/riboflavin cross-linked corneas displayed a significant increase in the material stiffness. At the IOP of 27.25 mmHg, the average displacements of corneal apex were 307 ± 65 μm and 437 ± 63 μm (p = 0.02) in CXL and PBS corneas, respectively. Comparisons performed on tangent modulus ratios at a stress of 0.03 MPa, the tangent modulus measured in the corneas treated with the CXL was 2.48 ± 0.69, with a 43±24% increase comparing to its PBS control. The data supported that corneal material properties can be well-described using this inflation methods following CXL. The inflation test is valuable for investigating the mechanical response of the intact human cornea within physiological IOP ranges, providing benchmarks against which the numerical developments can be translated to clinic.

Posterior corneal curvature changes following Refractive Small Incision Lenticule Extraction

PURPOSE

To compare the posterior corneal curvature changes, in terms of corneal power and asphercity, following Refractive Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (ReLEx SMILE) procedure for low, moderate, and high myopia.

METHODS

This retrospective, non randomized, comparative, interventional trial; included 52 eyes of 26 patients, divided in three groups: low myopia (myopia ≤3 D [diopters] spherical equivalent [SE]), moderate myopia (myopia >3 D and <6 D SE), and high myopia (myopia ≥6 D SE). All patients were treated for myopia and myopic astigmatism using ReLEx SMILE. The eyes were examined pre-operatively and 3 months post-operatively using SCHWIND SIRIUS, a three-dimensional rotating Scheimpflug camera with a Placido disc topographer to assess corneal changes with regard to keratometric power and asphericity of the cornea.

RESULTS

A statistically significant increase in mean keratometric power in the 3, 5, and 7 mm zones of the posterior corneal surface compared with its pre-ReLEx SMILE value was detected after 3 months in the moderate myopia group (pre-operative [pre-op] -6.14±0.23, post-operative [post-op] -6.29±0.22, P<0.001) and high myopia group (pre-op -6.19±0.16, post-op -6.4±0.18, P<0.001), but there was no significant change in keratometric power of the posterior surface in the low myopia group (pre-op -5.87±0.17, post-op -6.06±0.29, P=0.143). Asphericity (Q-value) of the posterior surface changed significantly (P<0.001) after ReLEx SMILE in the moderate myopia group in the 3, 5, and 7 mm zones, and in the high myopia group in the 3 and 7 mm zones; but there was no significant change in the Q-value in the low myopia group in all three zones (pre-op 0.23±0.43, post-op -0.40±0.71, P=0.170), and in the high myopia group in the 5 mm zone (P=0.228).

CONCLUSION

ReLEx SMILE causes significant changes in posterior corneal keratometric power and asphericity in moderate and high myopia, but the effect is subtle and insignificant in low myopia.

Fourier analysis of corneal astigmatic changes following photorefractive keratectomy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the corneal irregular astigmatism following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia. The corneal topography of 30 eyes of 26 patients was measured with the TMS-1 videokeratoscope before and 1 month after PRK. Axial dioptric data were decomposed into four components; A0 (Sphericity), C1 x 2 (Asymmetry), C2 x 2 (Regular astigmatism), and C3 (higher-order irregularity) for the central 3 and 6 mm zone by Fourier series harmonic analysis. Post-operative topographies were divided into those with an irregular and those with a homogeneous pattern, and the Fourier components were compared. In the 6 mm zone, A0 was significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and C1 x 2, C2 x 2, and C3 were significantly increased (P = 0.001, 0.005, 0.002, respectively). In the 3 mm zone, A0 decreased (P < 0.001) and C1 x 2 increased (P < 0.001) significantly. C1 x 2 was correlated with the post-operative corrected visual acuity (P < 0.001, r = 0.647). The irregular pattern group had a larger C1 x 2 component (P < 0.001). The treatment displacement was not correlated with any component. In conclusion, irregular topography due to intraoperative drift or asymmetrical wound healing may play a more important role in the post-operative corneal optical property than mild treatment displacement.

Posterior corneal surface changes after refractive surgery

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of changes in posterior corneal surface after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

DESIGN

Nonrandomized, comparative trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-five eyes (71 patients) that underwent PRK (n = 45) or LASIK (n = 50).

CONTROLS

Twenty nonsurgery eyes were used to validate the method of analysis of the posterior corneal curvature (PCC). Seventy nonsurgery eyes were used for comparisons.

METHODS

Float, apex-fixed best fit corneal curvature (ABC), and posterior elevation difference were evaluated in 20 elevation topography maps at 6 zone diameters (3-7 and 10 mm) and at two time points. Corneal elevation maps before and after PRK or LASIK were analyzed by the ABC and float methods and compared with a nonsurgery group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Posterior corneal curvature change (mm) was classified as flattening, steepening, or no change.

RESULTS

Flattening of more than 0.12 mm was found in 22.2% of eyes (n = 10) in the PRK group, a change of +/-0.12 mm was found in 53.3% of eyes (n = 24), and steepening of more than 0.12 mm was found in 24.4% of eyes (n = 11) using the float method and in 28.9% of eyes (n = 13), 35.6% of eyes (n = 16), and 35.6% eyes (n = 16), respectively, using the ABC method. In the LASIK group, the float method registered flattening in 20% of eyes (n = 10), no change in 52% of eyes (n = 26), and steepening in 28% of eyes (n = 14), whereas the ABC method registered flattening in 30% of eyes (n = 15), no change in 40% of eyes (n = 20), and steepening in 30% of eyes (n = 15). The nonsurgery group showed a similar change in PCC at two different time points similar to that of the PRK and the LASIK groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The differences observed in the PCC after PRK or LASIK were not statistically significantly different from those observed over time in the nonsurgery control group.

Safety and predictability of laser in situ keratomileusis enhancement by flap reelevation in high myopia

PURPOSE

To evaluate the safety and predictability of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) retreatment following primary procedures for high myopia and astigmatism.

SETTING

Corneal Diseases and Excimer Laser Research Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.

METHODS

This prospective observational study of retreatment comprised a cohort of 109 eyes having primary LASIK for high myopia and astigmatism with a spherical equivalent (SE) of -9.70 diopters (D) +/- 4.06 (SD). Twenty-four eyes (22%) with an initial myopic SE of -9.83 +/- 3.50 D, a comparable subset of the entire group (P < .05), had retreatment for residual myopia (-3.02 +/- 2.17 D) to improve uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) by reelevating the corneal flap and ablating the stromal bed.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up after retreatment was 12.8 +/- 5.1 months (range 1.5 to 24 months; 19 eyes >/=6 months, 13 eyes > or = 12 months). The mean myopic SE was reduced to +0.53 +/- 0.62 D at 1 week, +0.05 +/- 0.50 D at 1 month, +0.30 +/- 0.50 D at 6 months, and +0.18 +/- 0.42 D at the latest follow-up, 12.8 months. At the latest review, 62% of eyes were within +/-0.50 D of emmetropia and 100% were within +/-1.00 D. The mean refraction did not alter statistically between 1 week and subsequent times. The mean UCVA improved from 6/30 prior to retreatment to 6/9 at the latest follow-up. Uncorrected visual acuity of 6/6 or better, 6/9 or better, and 6/12 or better was achieved by 33.0%, 75.0%, and 95.8% of eyes, respectively. No significant complications that led to a loss of best corrected visual acuity were encountered, although retreatment procedures were more uncomfortable than primary procedures and self-limiting; epithelial ingrowth that did not threaten vision was common, and 2 patients complained of nighttime visual symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Retreatment of residual myopia by reelevating the flap was relatively safe and predictable, with a low risk of sight-threatening complications. However, longer term studies may be required to detect late complications.

Gender- and age-related differences in corneal topography

PURPOSE

To investigate gender- and age-related differences in the corneal topography of a normal population.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-two topographic examinations were collected from 100 patients ranging in age from 23 to 83 years (average, 57.35+/-17.38 years). Data were segregated by gender and further divided into younger (less than 50 years) and older (50 years or more) age groups. The topographic indices of Surface Regularity Index, Surface Asymmetry Index, Irregular Astigmatism Index, Standard Deviation of Corneal Power, Corneal Eccentricity Index, Coefficient of Variation of Corneal Power, Simulated Keratometry 1 and 2, and Average Corneal Power were examined. The astigmatism pattern and corneal irregularity were determined and compared with respect to gender and age.

RESULTS

The corneas of older men were flatter than those of older women (p < 0.001). The vertical corneal meridian, but not the horizontal meridian, showed statistically significant gender-related changes with aging (p < 0.001). Older men had a significantly higher potential for against-the-rule astigmatism than women (p < 0.001). Corneal irregularity (measured in terms of the Surface Regularity Index and Irregular Astigmatism Index) increased with age (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), although there was no gender-related difference. In the younger group, no gender-related differences in corneal curvature or astigmatism pattern were found.

CONCLUSION

Aging influences changes in patterns of astigmatism differently in men and women. Decreases in levels of sex hormones may play a role in gender-related changes in corneal structure with age.

Prediction of letter contrast sensitivity using videokeratographic indices

PURPOSE

To analyze the relationship between corneal topography and letter contrast sensitivity.

METHOD

Experiments were conducted on 59 eyes of 51 patients who had best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better and no ocular pathology except for the corneal shape. Thirty-nine eyes had an abnormal topographic pattern resulting from keratoconus, and the other 20 eyes showed a normal topographic pattern. Videokeratography was performed with the TMS-2 videokeratoscope, and the surface regularity index, surface asymmetry index, and coefficient of variation of power were obtained for each subject. Letter contrast sensitivity was measured with the CSV-1000LV with spectacle correction. The correlation between the number of correct letters and topographic indices was calculated.

RESULTS

The abnormal topography group had a significantly greater loss of letter contrast sensitivity (median = 20 letters) than the normal control (median = 23 letters; P =.0001). There were statistically significant correlations between number of correct letters and the coefficient of variation of power (r = -.77; P =. 001), number of correct letters and surface regularity index (r = -. 76, P =.001), and the number of correct letters and surface asymmetry index (r = -.64; P =.001). The linear regression equation between number of correct letters and the coefficient of variation of power was the number of correct letters = -0.05 x the coefficient of variation of power + 23.2.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that subtle visual deteriorations, which are barely detected by contrast sensitivity testing, can be predicted objectively by the corneal topographic indices.

Corneal topography of small-beam tracking excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the topographic characteristic of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for low myopia performed with a small-beam (0.9 mm) tracking excimer laser.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine in New Orleans, and the Refractive Surgery Center of the South at the Eye, Ear, Nose, & Throat Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

METHODS

Sixty-seven eyes of 47 patients had PRK with a small-beam tracking laser. Of these, 49 eyes had data permitting evaluation of ablation centration; usable data for topographic analysis were available for 59 eyes preoperatively, 54 eyes at 1 month, 42 eyes at 3 months, and 25 eyes at 6 months, permitting measurement of various topographic parameters, including the cylinder (CYL), average corneal power (ACP), surface regularity index (SRI), surface asymmetry index (SAI), corneal eccentricity index (CEI), and coefficient of variation of corneal power (CVP).

RESULTS

Preoperatively, all eyes were topographically normal. Postoperatively, no eye exhibited a "central island" by even the least-restrictive definition, and all eyes had best spectacle-corrected visual acuities (BSCVAs) of 20/20 or better at all follow-ups. Mean decentration of the ablations from the pupil centers was 0.42 mm +/- 0.28 (SD) (n = 49). There was no correlation between measured decentration and BSCVA (P = .46). The central cornea was flattened (decreased ACP; P < .001) and made oblate (decreased CEI; P < .001) as expected. There was no increase in SRI or SAI (irregular astigmatism) at 6 months compared with preoperative values (P = .91); however, CYL and CVP (varifocality) increased slightly (P = .04 and .02, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The absence of significant regular or irregular astigmatism 6 months after PRK with the small-beam laser is an improvement over published results achieved with wide-beam lasers and is consistent with the excellent visual acuity results in this cohort.