Influence of local inhomogeneities induced in corneal ablation on the evolution of contrast sensitivity

Optical Analysis of PresbyLASIK Treatment By a Light Propagation Algorithm

PURPOSE

To evaluate the changes in the optical quality of corneas of hyperopic patients operated using central multifocal presbyLASIK treatment through the study of light patterns around the retinal plane.

METHODS

This study included eight hyperopic eyes that underwent central presbyLASIK surgery with Presby-one software using an H. Eye Tech Technovision excimer laser platform. Mean patient age was 57 years. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was 1.28 +/- 0.87 diopters (D). Mean distance decimal visual acuity with correction was 1.02 +/- 0.13 and without correction was 0.37 +/- 0.15. The optical quality was characterized by the Strehl ratio, the spot size on the retina, and objective decimal visual acuity calculated based on measured corneal topography using Fresnel propagation algorithm based on a realistic eye model.

RESULTS

The postoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -0.55 +/- 0.48 D. The distance decimal visual acuity with correction was 0.94 and without correction was 0.70. The pseudoaccommodation range was 1.60 +/- 0.40 D. A good Pearson correlation coefficient was obtained (r2 = 0.86) for the linear fit between the real and calculated decimal visual acuity for the eight eyes. The Strehl ratio value on the retinal plane increased after the surgery by a mean factor of 4.7.

CONCLUSIONS

With a complete characterization of the eye and a complete propagation algorithm (that takes into account all refractive surfaces in the eye at the same time), it is possible to evaluate the optical quality in eyes of patients who have undergone central presbyLASlK treatment.

Relationship between corneal aberrations and contrast sensitivity after hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the relationship between corneal aberrations and contrast sensitivity (CS) after hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (H-LASIK).

METHODS

In 13 patients (13 eyes) who underwent H-LASIK, we measured CS and corneal topography preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Photopic and scotopic CS values were measured at 3, 6, and 12 cycles/degree (cpd) using an MCT-8000 contrast tester. Corneal aberrations were determined from the data on corneal topography using CTView. The corneal high-order aberrations were defined as the sum of the third- and fourth-order aberrations in the 4-mm zone and the sum of the third- to sixth-order aberrations in the 6-mm-zone.

RESULTS

Under scotopic conditions at 12 cpd, the changes in CS significantly correlated with changes in the corneal aberrations. Scotopic CS was significantly deteriorated by glare, but photopic CS was not significantly changed. H-LASIK induced a significant increase in corneal aberrations that positively correlated with the amount of correction, regardless of the improvement in logMAR corrected visual acuity. LogMAR corrected visual acuity did not significantly correlate with corneal aberrations. Furthermore, decentration significantly correlated with the changes in the 6-mm zone corneal aberrations.

CONCLUSIONS

In eyes after H-LASIK, the changes in scotopic CS significantly correlated with those in the corneal aberrations, which might have resulted from decentration or ablation profiles in H-LASIK and a relatively small optical zone. Further studies will be needed to validate this relationship.