Contrast Sensitivity After Wavefront-Guided and Wavefront-Optimized PRK and LASIK for Myopia and Myopic Astigmatism

Comparison of visual quality after wavefront-guided LASIK in patients with different levels of preoperative total ocular higher-order aberrations: a retrospective study

Purpose

To compare the visual quality after wavefront-guided femtosecond LASIK (WFG FS-LASIK) in patients with different levels of preoperative total ocular higher-order aberrations to guide clinical decision-making regarding patient selection and treatment strategies.

Methods

This study included 112 right eyes of 112 patients who previously underwent WFG FS-LASIK for correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism. The patients were divided into two groups based on the mean values of preoperative total ocular HOAs (0.30 ± 0.09 µm): HOA ≤ 0.3 and > 0.3 groups. The visual acuity, manifest refraction, corneal Strehl ratio (SR), root mean square (RMS) of corneal and ocular aberrations, and area under the log contrast sensitivity function (AULCSF) of both groups were compared preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

The induced ocular HOAs and coma (Δ = 1 mo - Preop) were significantly lower in the HOAs > 0.3 group than in the HOAs ≤ 0.3 group (ΔHOAs: 0.39 ± 0.19 vs. 0.29 ± 0.18 μm, t = 2.797, P = 0.006; Δ coma: 0.30 ± 0.19 vs. 0.20 ± 0.21 μm, t = 2.542, P = 0.012). In the HOAs > 0.3 group, ΔHOAs were negatively correlated with the preoperative ocular HOAs (r = -0.315, P = 0.019). In the HOAs ≤ 0.3 group, the regression equation for Δ HOAs = 0.098 + 0.053 |SE| (F = 21.756, P < 0.001). In the HOAs > 0.3 group, the regression equation for ΔHOAs = 0.534 - 1.081 HOAs + 0.038|Sphere| (F = 7.954, P = 0.001). The postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity, spherical equivalent, corneal aberrations, SR and AULCSF of both groups were similar (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, the ocular aberrations were not significantly different between both groups at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (all P > 0.05). In addition, compared with the preoperative period, the AULCSF of both groups were significantly increased in the postoperative period (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The induced ocular HOAs and coma in HOAs > 0.3 group were lower. However, both groups achieved equivalent and excellent visual quality after WFG FS-LASIK. WFG FS-LASIK may provide significant visual benefits for a wider range of patients.

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis Surgery on a Patient with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease or Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are rare central demyelinating diseases that may affect refractive surgery outcomes. Optic neuritis and brainstem syndromes affecting cranial nerves are particularly relevant to corneal refractive surgery (CRS), such as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), photorefractive keratectomy, or small incision lenticule extraction. There is currently no existing literature concerning the outcomes of CRS in patients with MOGAD or NMOSD. This article reports the clinical outcome of a MOGAD patient who underwent LASIK.

Advanced Optical Wavefront Technologies to Improve Patient Quality of Vision and Meet Clinical Requests

Adaptive optics (AO) is employed for the continuous measurement and correction of ocular aberrations. Human eye refractive errors (lower-order aberrations such as myopia and astigmatism) are corrected with contact lenses and excimer laser surgery. Under twilight vision conditions, when the pupil of the human eye dilates to 5-7 mm in diameter, higher-order aberrations affect the visual acuity. The combined use of wavefront (WF) technology and AO systems allows the pre-operative evaluation of refractive surgical procedures to compensate for the higher-order optical aberrations of the human eye, guiding the surgeon in choosing the procedure parameters. Here, we report a brief history of AO, starting from the description of the Shack-Hartmann method, which allowed the first in vivo measurement of the eye's wave aberration, the wavefront sensing technologies (WSTs), and their principles. Then, the limitations of the ocular wavefront ascribed to the IOL polymeric materials and design, as well as future perspectives on improving patient vision quality and meeting clinical requests, are described.

Impact of Degraded Optics on Monocular and Binocular Vision: Lessons from Recent Advances in Highly-Aberrated Eyes

PURPOSE

Optical imperfections of the eye, characterized by higher-order wavefront aberrations, are exaggerated in corneal disease (e.g., keratoconus) and iatrogeny (e.g., keratorefractive surgery for myopia correction, keratoplasty for optical clarity restoration). This article reviews the recent advances on this topic for a comprehensive understanding of how optical degradations in disease models impact retinal image quality and monocular and binocular visual performance.

METHODS

Published literature over the last decade on retinal image quality and/or monocular and binocular visual functions with corneal irregularity was reviewed based on their relevance to the current topic, study population and strength of study design. The literature was summarized into four themes: 1) wavefront errors and retinal image quality of highly aberrated eyes, 2) monocular and binocular vision loss consequent to degraded optics and visual strategies to optimize performance, 3) impact of optical correction modalities on visual performance and 4) implications for clinical management of patients.

RESULTS

Across the 46 articles reviewed, the results clearly indicated that an increase in higher-order aberrations across these conditions had a significant negative impact on the patient's retinal image quality, and monocular and binocular visual functions. Interocular differences in retinal image quality deteriorated visual performance more than an overall worsening of image quality bilaterally. Minimizing optical degradation using rigid contact lenses and adaptive optics technology significantly improves retinal image quality and monocular and binocular vision, but performance remains sub-optimal relative to age-similar healthy controls.

CONCLUSION

Corneal disease and iatrogeny are useful models to understand the impact of optical degradation on retinal image quality and visual performance. Clinical management will greatly benefit from equalizing retinal image quality of both eyes of these patients. Future studies that deepen our understanding of the structure-function relation in these conditions are desirable for advancing vision science in this area and for developing novel clinical management strategies.

U.S. military implantable collamer lens surgical outcomes: 11-year retrospective review

PURPOSE

To examine the long-term efficacy and safety of myopic implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation in active duty personnel of U.S. military.

SETTING

Hospital practice.

DESIGN

Retrospective longitudinal observational study.

METHODS

1485 patients (median age 25, interquartile range 22 to 29) underwent ICL surgery. Patients received a preoperative examination including uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), manifest refraction measuring corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), corneal topography and tomography, qualitative grading of perceived ectatic risk, ophthalmic biometry, and baseline endothelial cell counts (ECCs). Outcome measures included UDVA, IOP, vault size, manifest refraction, CDVA, and ECCs. The long-term follow-up data ware drawn from the U.S. military medical record system.

RESULTS

A total of 3105 eyes were evaluated. Patients received ICLs because of either abnormal topography (2111 eyes [68%]) or high myopia (994 eyes [32%]). 94 eyes (80%) maintained UDVA of 20/25 or better up to 8 years postoperatively. The rate of achieving the desired refractive correction was 97% (503 eyes) at 1 year and 90% (81 eyes) at 8 years. Stability of these outcomes was also shown by minimal change in manifest refraction. Documented mean ECC loss was 22% at postoperative year 5. The overall rate of adverse events was 1.2% (36 eyes) including visually significant cataract formation, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and traumatic incision opening. A removal or replacement rate of 4.5% (135 eyes) was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

ICL implantation was found to be effective and safe. Vault sizes decreased over time, suggesting an increased risk of cataract formation after 7 years. Further study is necessary to assess long-term clinical significance of ECC decline.

A comparison between wavefront-optimized and wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy in patients with moderate-to-high astigmatism: A randomized clinical trial

Purpose:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusion:

Intra-Operative Discomfort in Photorefractive Keratectomy

Purpose

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) remains a viable, safe, and efficacious option for patients wishing to correct refractive errors. One of its most significant drawbacks is pain. While post-operative pain has been well studied with different management options, intra-operative pain has been less well defined. The purpose of this study was to characterize intra-operative pain during PRK in regard to eye operated on, gender, excimer platform used, surgeon, and age.

Patients and Methods

A total of 134 patients (264 eyes) were prospectively randomized to undergo bilateral PRK of either the right eye first or the left eye first followed immediately by the fellow eye. In the immediate post-operative period they were surveyed using an 11-point Numeric Rating Scale regarding intra-operative pain or discomfort experienced in each eye. Resultant pain scores were then analyzed via two sample z-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to characterize pain overall as well as comparing first versus second eye operated on, right versus left eye, male versus female, excimer platform used, inter-surgeon variability, and age.

Results

Of 264 eyes surveyed the mean pain experienced on a 0–10 pain scale was 1.13 (minimal discomfort). There was no statistically significant difference in pain or discomfort when comparing first versus second eye operated on, right versus left eye, male versus female, excimer platform used, operating surgeon, or age.

Conclusion

Intra-operative pain or discomfort experienced by patients is minimal. The absence of statistically significant differences in pain scores studied implies that standard of care procedures achieve adequate analgesia in PRK.

Centration of myopic refractive ablation: should we center treatment on the pupil or the visual axis?

The purpose of this study is to compare pupil versus corneal vertex-centered ablation for myopic laser refractive surgery. This study is a retrospective case series of right eyes of consecutive myopic patients undergoing either photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with pupil or corneal vertex-centered ablation from January 2018 to April 2018. Overall 258 eyes of 258 patients were included. Of the 104 that underwent LASIK, 52 were treated centered on the corneal vertex (50%), and of the 154 that underwent PRK, 77 were treated centered on the corneal vertex (50%). There were no significant differences in baseline age, gender, spherical equivalence, sphere, cylinder, or angle kappa between both groups in either LASIK or PRK. There were no significant differences between the corneal vertex-centered and pupil-centered groups in terms of efficacy index (LASIK: 1.02 ± 0.14 vs 1.01 ± 0.13, p = 0.86; PRK: 1.00 ± 0.13 vs 0.99 ± 0.15, p = 0.61), safety index (LASIK: 1.02 ± 0.12 vs 1.01 ± 0.13, p = 0.70; PRK:1.02 ± 0.12 vs 1.02 ± 0.09, p = 0.97), and residual astigmatism (LASIK: 0.26 ± 0.25 vs 0.23 ± 0.28, p = 0.65; PRK:0.37 ± 0.41 vs 0.39 ± 0.31, p = 0.78). In mixed effect models, there were no significant differences between the corneal vertex-centered and pupil-centered groups when accounting for angle kappa (p > 0.05). Patients with large angle kappa (> 300 μm) eyes yielded similar results (p > 0.05). For conclusion, in myopic refractive surgery, performing ablation centered on the corneal vertex or on the pupil leads to similar outcomes regardless of the amount of angle kappa.

Quality of Vision Following LASIK and PRK-MMC for Treatment of Myopia

INTRODUCTION

Femtosecond-assisted thin flap, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and photorefractive keratectomy with mitomycin-C (PRK-MMC) are the two most common refractive surgical procedures used to enhance visual capability in the U.S military. The purposes of the study were to examine effects on quality of vision following LASIK and PRK-MMC using a novel computer-based quick contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) test.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective clinical study included 58 active duty U.S. military service members who elected LASIK (n = 29) or PRK-MMC (n = 29) refractive surgery for myopia (nearsightedness) treatment. Monocular photopic and mesopic quality of vision of the right eyes in spectacle correction preoperatively and unaided right eyes at four postoperative follow-up visits (1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months) were examined using the qCSF device. Two qCSF parameters, area under a log CSF (AULCSF) between 1.5 and 18 cycles per degree, and CSF cutoff acuity (CSF Acuity), were collected using a 50-trial setting at a 4-m testing distance. General linear model (GLM) Repeated-measures Analysis of Covariance was used to examine effects on quality of vision following LASIK and PRK-MMC. Post hoc testing with Bonferroni correction was used for pairwise comparisons, and preoperative cylinder refraction was used as a covariate. Two-tailed independent t-test was used to compare preoperative and postoperative parameters between LASIK and PRK-MMC. Pearson's correlation, Bland-Altman plots, and multiple linear regression were used to examine the relationship among the qCSF and other vision tests.

RESULTS

Quality of vision, AULCSF, and CSF Acuity returned to the preoperative baseline at postoperative 2 weeks under mesopic condition and at postoperative 1 month under photopic condition after PRK-MMC. In comparison, photopic and mesopic quality of vision were not significantly different from the baseline at any of the four postoperative visits following LASIK. Changes of CSF Acuity from the baseline after LASIK were significantly better under photopic than mesopic condition by 0.067 ± 0.014 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR); P < .001). Quality of vision was not significantly different between the LASIK and PRK-MMC groups at postoperative 1 and 3 months. When predicting photopic AULCSF (overall model fit R2 = 0.47), 5% contrast acuity (beta = -0.43), visual acuity in 100% contrast (beta = -0.18), and residual refraction in spherical equivalent (beta = 0.20) were significant predictors (P ≤ .001), while high-order aberrations (beta = -0.07, P = .22) were not significant predictors. Visual acuity (beta = -0.12, P = .07) and high-order aberrations (beta = -0.04, P = .58) were not significant predictors of mesopic AULCSF. Bland-Altman plots show that photopic CSF Acuity and visual acuity had a mean difference of 0.19 ± 0.01 logMAR with limits of agreement (LOAs) at -0.01 and 0.39 logMAR. Photopic CSF Acuity and 5% contrast acuity had a mean difference of -0.06 ± 0.01 logMAR with LOAs at -0.33 and 0.21 logMAR.

CONCLUSION

Quality of vision recovers at postoperative 1 week after LASIK and at postoperative 1 month after PRK-MMC. The standard black-on-white high-contrast, chart-based visual acuity test is weak in predicting quality of vision. The qCSF detects mild-to-moderate visual changes and is suitable for quality of vision assessment following refractive eye surgery.

Wavefront excimer laser refractive surgery for adults with refractive errors

BACKGROUND

Refractive errors (conditions in which the eye fails to focus objects accurately on the retina due to defects in the refractive system), are the most common cause of visual impairment. Myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism are low-order aberrations, usually corrected with spectacles, contact lenses, or conventional refractive surgery. Higher-order aberrations (HOAs) can be quantified with wavefront aberration instruments and corrected using wavefront-guided or wavefront-optimized laser surgery. Wavefront-guided ablations are based on preoperative measurements of HOAs; wavefront-optimized ablations are designed to minimize induction of new HOAs while preserving naturally occurring aberrations. Two wavefront procedures are expected to produce better visual acuity than conventional procedures.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective was to compare effectiveness and safety of wavefront procedures, laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) versus corresponding conventional procedures, for correcting refractive errors in adults for postoperative uncorrected visual acuity, residual refractive errors, and residual HOAs. The secondary objective was to compare two wavefront procedures.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register; 2019, Issue 8); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase; Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS); the ISRCTN registry; ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO ICTRP. The date of the search was 6 August 2019. We imposed no restrictions by language or year of publication. We used the Science Citation Index (September 2013) and searched the reference lists of included trials to identify additional relevant trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing either wavefront modified with conventional refractive surgery or wavefront-optimized with wavefront-guided refractive surgery in participants aged ⪰ 18 years with refractive errors.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methodology.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 33 RCTs conducted in Asia, Europe and United States, totaling 1499 participants (2797 eyes). Participants had refractive errors ranging from high myopia to low hyperopia. Studies reported at least one of the following review-specific outcomes based on proportions of eyes: with uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/20 or better, without loss of one or more lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), within ± 0.50 diopters (D) of target refraction, with HOAs and adverse events. Study characteristics and risk of bias Participants were mostly women, mean age 29 and 53 years, and without previous refractive surgery, ocular pathology or systemic comorbidity. We could not judge risks of bias for most domains of most studies. Most studies in which both eyes of a participant were analyzed failed to account for correlations between two eyes in the analysis and reporting of outcomes. Findings For the primary comparison between wavefront (PRK or LASIK or LASEK) and corresponding conventional procedures, 12-month outcome data were available from only one study of PRK with 70 participants. No evidence of more favorable outcomes of wavefront PRK on proportion of eyes: with UCVA of 20/20 or better (risk ratio [RR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86 to 1.24); without loss of one or more lines of BSCVA (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.09); within ± 0.5 D of target refraction (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.24); and mean spherical equivalent (mean difference [MD] 0.04, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.18). The evidence for each effect estimate was of low certainty. No study reported HOAs at 12 months. At six months, the findings of two to eight studies showed that overall effect estimates and estimates by subgroup of PRK or LASIK or LASEK were consistent with those for PRK at 12 month, and suggest no difference in all outcomes. The certainty of evidence for each outcome was low. For the comparison between wavefront-optimized and wavefront-guided procedures at 12 months, the overall effect estimates for proportion of eyes: with UCVA of 20/20 or better (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.02; 5 studies, 618 participants); without loss of one or more lines of BSCVA (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.02; I2 = 0%; 5 studies, 622 participants); within ± 0.5 diopters of target refraction (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.09; I2 = 33%; 4 studies, 480 participants) and mean HOAs (MD 0.03, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.07; I2 = 41%; 5 studies, 622 participants) showed no evidence of a difference between the two groups. Owing to substantial heterogeneity, we did not calculate an overall effect estimate for mean spherical equivalent at 12 months, but point estimates consistently suggested no difference between wavefront-optimized PRK versus wavefront-guided PRK. However, wavefront-optimized LASIK compared with wavefront-guided LASIK may improve mean spherical equivalent (MD -0.14 D, 95% CI -0.19 to -0.09; 4 studies, 472 participants). All effect estimates were of low certainty of evidence. At six months, the results were consistent with those at 12 months based on two to six studies. The findings suggest no difference between two wavefront procedures for any of the outcomes assessed, except for the subgroup of wavefront-optimized LASIK which showed probable improvement in mean spherical equivalent (MD -0.12 D, 95% CI -0.19 to -0.05; I2 = 0%; 3 studies, 280 participants; low certainty of evidence) relative to wavefront-guided LASIK. We found a single study comparing wavefront-guided LASIK versus wavefront-guided PRK at six and 12 months. At both time points, effect estimates consistently supported no difference between two procedures. The certain of evidence was very low for all estimates. Adverse events Significant visual loss or optical side effects that were reported were similar between groups.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that at 12 months and six months postoperatively, there was no important difference between wavefront versus conventional refractive surgery or between wavefront-optimized versus wavefront-guided surgery in the clinical outcomes analyzed. The low certainty of the cumulative evidence reported to date suggests that further randomized comparisons of these surgical approaches would provide more precise estimates of effects but are unlikely to modify our conclusions. Future trials may elect to focus on participant-reported outcomes such as satisfaction with vision before and after surgery and effects of remaining visual aberrations, in addition to contrast sensitivity and clinical outcomes analyzed in this review.

Visual and Refractive Outcomes with a New Topography-integrated Wavefront-guided Lasik Procedure

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using a new approach for the calculation of the ablation profile based on wavefront vertexing from pupil plane to corneal.

METHODS

One hundred eyes of 50 patients (age, 21-41 years) with low and moderate myopia were enrolled in this prospective case series. All of them underwent topography-integrated wavefront-guided (TI-WFG) LASIK using the STAR S4IR excimer laser platform (Johnson & Johnson Vision). Visual, refractive, ocular aberrometric, ocular scattering index (OSI) and patient satisfaction outcomes were evaluated after a 90-day follow-up period. Astigmatic changes were evaluated by vector analysis.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in sphere and cylinder (p < .001) was observed, with a significant improvement in uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (p < .001). Postoperative spherical equivalent was within ±0.50 and ±1.00 D in 91.1% (82/90) and 98.9% (89/90) of eyes, respectively. UDVA was 20/20 or better in 98.9% (89/90) of eyes. A total of 50.0% (45/90) of eyes gained 1 line of CDVA. Mean postoperative astigmatic correction index and angle of error were 1.01 ± 0.56 and 0.17 ± 0.18º. Postoperative high-order aberrometric coefficients were below 0.50 μm in 92.2% (83/90) of eyes. Mean postoperative OSI was 0.71 ± 0.44. All patients referred to be satisfied with the final outcomes and would recommend the procedure to their friends and relatives.

CONCLUSIONS

TI-WFG LASIK is a new approach for myopia and myopic astigmatism correction, with preservation of the ocular optical quality and high level of patient satisfaction associated.