Control of Induced Spherical Aberration in Moderate Hyperopic LASIK by Customizing Corneal Asphericity

[Enhancement Options after Lens and Corneal Refractive Surgery]

BACKGROUND

 Modern preoperative diagnostics as well as current surgical techniques allow cataract and refractive surgery to deliver precise refractive results.Occasionally, unsatisfactory refractive and visual results occur despite all the care taken. In these cases, subsequent improvement is required to achieve the best final visual outcome. This article shows the therapeutic options for the treatment of residual refractive errors after lens and corneal refractive surgery.

KEY MESSAGES

 The causes of postoperative refractive errors after refractive laser- or lens-based procedures are very diverse and require extensive workup of the cause as well as an individual solution to achieve the desired result. Before any further surgical intervention, specific complications of the primary procedure as well as concomitant ocular diseases must be excluded or treated. The appropriate enhancement after keratorefractive surgery depends primarily on the type of primary surgery, residual stromal thickness, possible complications from the initial surgery, and the patient's personal preference. For enhancements using surface treatments, such as PRK, the use of mitomycin C is recommended for prophylaxis of haze formation. After lens surgery, for low-grade postoperative refractive errors (spherical and astigmatic), keratorefractive enhancements provide the most accurate results. For higher refractive errors, lens-based procedures can be used, with add-on IOLs being safer and more precise compared with one IOL exchange. Low astigmatisms can be successfully treated with LRI or keratorefractive surgery, but higher astigmatisms should be corrected with an IOL exchange in the early postoperative period and with an add-on IOL in the later postoperative period. IOL explantations should be performed very cautiously, especially in cases of pronounced capsular fibrosis, previous posterior capsulotomy, and existing weakness of the zonular apparatus.

Enhancement-Optionen nach Linsen- und refraktiver Hornhautchirurgie

Gelegentlich kommt es trotz aller Sorgfalt und präziser Operationstechnik in der Katarakt- und Refraktivchirurgie zu unbefriedigenden refraktiven und visuellen Ergebnissen. In diesen Fällen ist eine nachträgliche Korrektur erforderlich, um das beste endgültige visuelle Ergebnis zu erzielen. Dieser Beitrag zeigt die Möglichkeiten zur Behandlung residualer Refraktionsfehler nach Linsen- und refraktiver Hornhautchirurgie auf.

Oral vitamin D3 supplementation for femtosecond LASIK-associated dry eye vitamin D for LASIK dry eye syndrome

PURPOSE

To assess the effect of oral vitamin D₃ supplementation in dry eye after femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK).

SETTING

Liuzhou Worker's Hospital.

DESIGN

This prospective study included 90 patients selected between January and December in 2019, who underwent FS-LASIK operation in our hospital and had obvious symptoms indicating dry eyes 1 month after operation. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: The experimental group (n = 45) received vitamin D3 2000 IU/D continuously for 12 weeks; the control group (n = 45) did not take vitamin D3 orally. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI), Tear breakup time (TBUT) and Schirmer's test I were evaluated premedication and 1,3,6 months after treatment. Serum vitamin D3 level and the mean concentration of cytokine IL-6, IL-17, IL-23 in t ears were also measured.

RESULTS

One month after treatment, the mean OSDI score of the experimental group (11.67 ± 8.53) was significantly lower than that of the control group (23.82 ± 13.22) (P = 0.007). TBUT (10.71 ± 1.02 s) and Schirmer I (9.36 ± 0.40 mm) of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (7.49 ± 1.29 s and 7.51 ± 0.44 mm). The OSDI (10.25 ± 5.49) was significantly lower than those of the control group(20.22 ± 6.23) and TBUT (10.75 ± 1.09 s) and Schirmer I test value (11.34 ± 0.39 mm) of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (8.36 ± 1.23, 8.12 ± 0.50) at 3 months after treatment. There were significant differences in OSDI, TBUT (P < 0.05) and Schirmer I test value between the two groups at 6 months after treatment. Serum vitamin D₃ level was negatively correlated with OSDI score (r = - 0.90; P = 0.00) and positively correlated with Schirmer I test (r = 0.88; P = 0.00), TBUT score (r = 0.89; P = 0.00) and TMH (r = 0.80; P = 0.00). IL-17 level was shown to be significantly correlated with TBUT(r = - 0.25, P = 0.014) and Schirmer I test (r = - 0.21, P = 0.018). IL-6 level was significantly correlated with OSDI (R = 0.18, P = 0.020) and TBUT (R = 0.20, P = 0.019).

Comparison of Low Degree/High Degree and Zernike Expansions for Evaluating Simulation Outcomes After Customized Aspheric Laser Corrections

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to compare the low degree/high degree (LD/HD) and Zernike Expansion simulation outcomes evaluating the corneal wavefront changes after theoretical conventional and customized aspheric photorefractive ablations.

Methods

Initial anterior corneal surface profiles were modeled as conic sections with pre-operative apical curvature, R0, and asphericity, Q0. Postoperative apical curvature, R1, was computed from intended defocus correction, D, diameter zone, S, and target postoperative asphericity, Q1. Coefficients of both Zernike and LD/HD polynomial expansions of the rotationally symmetrical corneal profile were computed using scalar products. We modeled different values of D, R0, Q0, S, and ΔQ = Q1 to Q0. The corresponding postoperative changes in defocus (Δz20 vs. Δg20), fourth order (Δz40 vs. Δg40) and sixth order (Δz60 vs. Δg60) Zernike and LD/HD spherical aberrations (SAs) were compared. In addition, retrospective clinical data and wavefront measurements were obtained from two examples of two patient eyes before and after corneal laser photoablation.

Results

The z20, varied with both R0 and Q0, whereas the LD/HD defocus coefficient, g20, was relatively robust to changes in asphericity. Variations of apical curvature better correlated with defocus and ΔQ with SA coefficients in the LD/HD classification. The impact of ΔQ was null on g20 but induced significant linear variations in z20 and fourth order SA coefficients. LD/HD coefficients provided a good correlation with the visual performances of the operated eyes.

Conclusions

Simulated variations in postoperative corneal profile and wavefront expansion using the LD/HD approach showed good correlations between defocus and asphericity variations with variations in corneal curvature and SA coefficients, respectively.

Translational Relevance

The relevance of this study was to provide a clinically relevant alternative to Zernike polynomials for the interpretation of wavefront changes after customized aspheric corrections.

Refractive enhancements for residual refractive error after cataract surgery

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Advances in cataract surgery have allowed surgeons to achieve superior refractive outcomes but have also led to higher patient expectations. Despite ever-evolving technology, residual refractive errors still occur. Postcataract refractive enhancements may be required to deliver satisfactory visual outcomes. This review aims to discuss the potential causes of residual refractive errors and the various enhancement modalities to correct them.

RECENT FINDINGS

A thorough preoperative workup to detect and address underlying pathologic causes of impaired vision should be performed prior to enhancement or corrective procedures. Corneal-based procedures are the safest and most accurate methods of correcting mild cases of residual refractive error. Hyperopic, high myopic, and high astigmatic errors are best managed with lens-based enhancements. Piggyback intraocular lenses (IOLs) are safer and more effective compared with IOL exchange. Toric IOL rotation and IOL exchange are ideally performed in the early postoperative period.

SUMMARY

A multitude of options exist for effective correction of residual refractive errors. The choice on how to best manage these patients depends on many factors such as the cause of refractive error, type of IOL used, ocular comorbidities, and patient preference.

Future Developments in SMILE: Higher Degree of Myopia and Hyperopia

Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is a novel 1-step refractive procedure with femtosecond laser for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Although it has shown good clinical results in efficacy, safety, predictability, and stability, there are still some concerns. In this study, we review the published clinical outcomes of high myopia correction and exploration in hyperopia correction. Results have suggested that SMILE has acceptable outcomes in correction for high myopia <10.0 diopters (D), and it is a feasible and effective procedure for the treatment of hyperopia. However, it is unsuitable for the treatment of extremely high myopia because there is undercorrection and regression as existed in laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), and compound hyperopic astigmatism currently could not be corrected either. More technical and clinical improvements are required to make SMILE competitive.

Small Incision Lenticule Extraction for Hyperopia: 3-Month Refractive and Visual Outcomes

PURPOSE

To evaluate visual and refractive outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for hyperopia.

METHODS

This prospective study of vertex-centered hyperopic SMILE used the VisuMax femtosecond laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany). Inclusion criteria were maximum attempted hyperopic meridian of between +1.00 and +7.00 diopters (D) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/40 or better. Lenticule parameters were 6.3- to 6.7-mm diameter, 2-mm transition zone, 30-µm minimum thickness, and 120-µm cap thickness. Standard outcomes analysis was performed for the 3-month data, including contrast sensitivity using the Functional Vision Analyzer.

RESULTS

For 93 eyes treated, 3-month data were available for 82 (88%). Attempted spherical equivalent refraction was +5.62 ± 1.20 D (range: +1.00 to +6.90 D) and cylinder was -0.91 ± 0.68 D (range: 0.00 to -3.50 D). For eyes targeted for emmetropia (n = 36), uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 89%. Spherical equivalent refraction relative to target was -0.17 ± 0.85 D (range: -2.20 to +3.00 D), with 59% within ±0.50 D and 76% within ±1.00 D. There was one line loss of CDVA in 17% of eyes, and one eye lost three lines (1.2%) but recovered to one line lost at 9 months. There was no clinically significant change in contrast sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Refractive and visual outcomes 3 months after SMILE for hyperopia were promising, given the high degree of hyperopia corrected and relatively reduced CDVA in this population. Undercorrection of more than 1.00 D in 5 eyes might be partly explained by latent hyperopia in these young patients. [J Refract Surg. 2019;35(1):24-30.].

Corneal aberrations after small-incision lenticule extraction versus Q value-guided laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis

Previous studies compared ocular aberration and visual quality after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and Q value-guided femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Q-FS-LASIK), but anterior corneal surface aberration properties are poorly known. This study aimed to compare the changes in anterior corneal surface aberration after SMILE versus Q-FS-LASIK.This was a prospective, observational cohort study. Patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism underwent SMILE or Q-FS-LASIK at Hangzhou MSK Eye Hospital between January 2015 and November 2015. High order aberration (HOA), primary spherical aberration (PSA), primary coma aberration (PCA), primary vertical coma aberration (PVCA), and primary horizontal coma aberration (PHCA) were assessed using pre- and postoperative Sirius scanning.Both surgery were associated with significant increases in postoperative HOA, PSA, and PCA (both groups P < .01). In the SMILE group (n = 51), the variations in HOA, PSA, and PCA were no longer significant after postoperative week 2 (P > .05). In the Q-FS-LASIK group (n = 73), the variations in HOA and PCA were no longer significant after postoperative day 1 (P > .05). In the SMILE group, the 3-month changes in PCA were not correlated with spherical, spherical equivalent (SE), and spherical plus cylinder measurements. Cylinder measurements were not correlated with HOA, PSA, and PCA. In the Q-FS-LASIK group, the 3-month changes in PCA correlated with spherical, SE, and spherical plus cylinder measurements.Both SMILE and Q-FS-LASIK resulted in an increase in HOA, PSA, and PCA at postoperative day 1, but Q-FS-LASIK introduced lower HOA and showed better stability. Spherical measurement was related to PSA.

Outcomes for Hyperopic LASIK With the MEL 90® Excimer Laser

PURPOSE

To report the outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for hyperopia using the Triple-A ablation profile with the MEL 90 excimer laser (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany).

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 1,383 eyes treated by LASIK for hyperopia using the Triple-A ablation profile with the MEL 90 at London Vision Clinic, London, United Kingdom, between September 2013 and December 2016. Inclusion criteria were attempted hyperopic correction of +0.25 diopters (D) or higher and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/40 or better. Patients were observed for 1 year after surgery. Standard outcomes analysis was performed.

RESULTS

One-year data were available for 1,350 (97%) eyes. Mean attempted spherical equivalent refraction (SEQ) was +2.77 ± 1.34 D (range: +0.13 to +6.50 D) and mean cylinder was -0.67 ± 0.66 D (range: 0.00 to -5.00 D). Mean age was 54 ± 11 years (range: 21 to 75 years), and 57% were female. Postoperative spherical equivalent was ±0.50 D in 73% and ±1.00 D in 93% of eyes. Uncorrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 or better in 75% of eyes, relative to 93% with preoperative CDVA of 20/20 or better. One line of CDVA was lost in 17% of eyes and two lines were lost in 0.6% of eyes. There was a clinically insignificant but statistically significant increase (P < .01) in contrast sensitivity at 3 and 6 cycles per degree (cpd) and no change for 12 and 18 cpd.

CONCLUSIONS

LASIK for hyperopia with the MEL 90 excimer laser was found to satisfy accepted criteria for safety, efficacy, and stability. [J Refract Surg. 2018;34(12):799-808.].

Treatment of moderate-to-high hyperopia with the WaveLight Allegretto 400 and EX500 excimer laser systems

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy of treating patients with +3.00 diopters (D) to +6.00 D of hyperopia via laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with the WaveLight Allegretto 400 and EX500 excimer laser systems.

Setting

Private clinical ophthalmology practice.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective study of patients undergoing LASIK treatments of +3.00 to +6.00 D on two different WaveLight laser systems: 163 eyes on the 400 (Hertz) Hz system and 54 eyes on the 500 Hz system. The duration of follow-up was 6 months postoperation. Data were evaluated for uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalents (SEQs), and changes in these parameters (eg, loss of vision, regression over time).

Results

Treatment with both lasers was safe and effective, with loss of one line of CDVA in four of 162 eyes using the 400 Hz laser system, and none of the 54 eyes with the 500 Hz laser system. Overall, regression ≥0.75 D from goal at 6 months was observed in 11.7% (19/163) of eyes in the 400 Hz laser group and 9.26% (5/54) of eyes in the 500 Hz laser group (regression ≥0.50 D =77.9% [127/163] and 77.8% [42/54], respectively). The mean SEQ regressions for all eyes with moderate hyperopia were 0.10 and 0.18 D for those with high hyperopia.

Conclusions

Both the 400 and 500 Hz excimer laser systems were safe and effective for the LASIK treatment of moderate-to-high hyperopia. The overall rate of regression was low and the amount of regression was relatively small with both systems.

Hyperopic Q-optimized algorithms: a theoretical study on factors influencing optical quality

In this work, we analyze the way in which pupil size, optical zone, and initial hyperopic level influence optical quality for hyperopic Q-optimized corneal refractive surgery. Different Q-optimized algorithms and the Munnerlyn formula were tested to analyze the optical quality of the final retinal image for initial hyperopic errors from 1D to 5D. Three optical zones (5.5, 6, and 6.5 mm) and two pupil diameters (5 and 7 mm) were considered. To evaluate optical quality, we computed the modulation transfer function (MTF) and the area under MTF (MTFa). Q-optimized values at around Q = -0.18 were found to provide the best optical quality for most of the conditions tested. This optimum final asphericity for hyperopic ablation was not depending on the degree of hyperopia corrected, the optical zone or the pupil size being this information important for clinical practice.

Corneal biomechanics after small-incision lenticule extraction versus Q-value-guided femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the changes in corneal biomechanical properties following small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) versus Q-value–guided femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (Q-FS-LASIK).

Methods

In this prospective comparative study, patients with a sphere plus cylinder measurement of less than −10.00 D and cylinder measurement of less than −5.00 D were included in the study. A total of 160 patients (160 eyes) with myopia and myopic astigmatism were divided into the two groups, with 80 patients (80 eyes) allocated to SMILE and 80 patients (80 eyes) allocated to Q-FS-LASIK. Corneal hysteresis (CH) and the corneal resistance factor (CRF) were quantitatively assessed using the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) preoperatively and at 1 day, 2 weeks, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively.

Results

Both types of surgery were associated with statistically significant decreases in CH and the CRF at postoperative day 1 (both P < 0.01). In both groups, the decreases subsequently stabilized with no further deteriorations compared to postoperative day 1 (P > 0.05). Both groups showed similar biomechanical changes at each time point (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Both SMILE and Q-FS-LASIK resulted in a decrease in CH and the CRF at postoperative 1 day, with the decreases stabilizing after this point. There were no significant differences between the short term effects of SMILE and Q-FS-LASIK on corneal biomechanical properties.

Laser in Situ Keratomileusis for High Hyperopia with Corneal Vertex Centration and Asymmetric Offset

Purpose

To investigate refractive outcomes and induction of corneal higher order aberrations (HOA) in eyes that underwent laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for high hyperopia correction using an aberration neutral profile with corneal vertex centration and asymmetric offset.

Methods

A total of 24 consecutive patients (38 eyes) who underwent LASIK by one surgeon using AMARIS 750S excimer laser and a Carriazo-Pendular microkeratome for flap creation were retrospectively analyzed. Eyes targeted for plano and with correction in the maximum hyperopic meridian strictly higher than +4D were included in the retrospective analysis. Patients were reviewed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Postoperative monocular corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), manifest refraction, and corneal wavefront aberrations were compared with respective preoperative metrics.

Results

Mean preoperative spherical equivalent and refractive astigmatism was +4.07 ± 0.90 D and 1.37 ± 1.26 D, respectively, reducing to +0.28 ± 0.58D (p<0.0001) and 0.49 ± 0.47 D (p = 0.0001) at the last postoperative visit. Six months postoperatively, 78% of eyes achieved a UDVA of 20/25 or better. No eye lost more than 2 Snellen lines of CDVA at any follow-up. There was a statistically significant induction of vertical trefoil (+0.104 ± 0.299 µm, p<0.05), vertical coma (-0.181 ± 0.463 µm, p<0.01), horizontal coma (+0.198 ± 0.663 µm, p<0.05), spherical aberration (-0.324 ± 0.281 µm, p<0.0001), secondary vertical trefoil (+0.018 ± 0.044 µm, p<0.01), and secondary horizontal coma (+0.026 ± 0.083 µm, p<0.05)

Conclusions

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis for high hyperopia using corneal vertex centration with asymmetric offset results in significant improvement in refraction and visual acuity although affected by significant induction of some higher order aberrations.