Find in Library

Purpose: To evaluate the corneal Functional Optical Zone (FOZ) and the Effective Optical Zone (EOZ) of the ablation, among eyes that underwent LASEK/Epi-LASEK treatments for hyperopic astigmatism. Methods: Twenty LASEK/Epi-LASEK treatments with mean defocus +2.21 ± 1.28 D performed using the SCHWIND AMARIS were retrospectively evaluated at 6-month follow-up. In all cases pre-/post-operative Corneal-Wavefront analyses using the Keratron-Scout (OPTIKON2000) were performed. FOZ-values were evaluated from the Root-Mean-Square of High-Order Wave-Aberration (RMSho), whereas EOZ-values were evaluated from the changes of Root-Mean-Square of High-Order Wave-Aberration (ΔRMSho) and Root-Mean-Square of the change of High-Order Wave-Aberration (RMS(ΔHOAb)). Correlations of FOZ and EOZ with Planned Optical Zone (POZ) and Defocus correction (SEq) were analyzed using a bilinear function. Results: At six-month, defocus was −0.04 ± 0.44 D, ninety percent eyes were within ± 0.50 D from emmetropia. Mean RMSho increased 0.18 ± 0.22 μm, SphAb −0.30 ± 0.18 μm, and Coma 0.07 ± 0.18 μm 6-month after treatment (6-mm diameter). Mean FOZPre was 7.40 ± 1.48 mm, mean POZ was 6.76 ± 0.22 mm, whereas mean FOZPost was 5.53 ± 1.18 mm (significantly smaller, p < 0.0001; bilinear correlation p < 0.005), mean EOZΔRMSho 6.47 ± 1.17 mm (bilinear correlation p < 0.005), EOZRMS(ΔHOAb) 5.67 ± 1.23 mm (significantly smaller, p < 0.0005; bilinear correlation p < 0.05). EOZ positively correlates with POZ and declines steadily with SEq. A treatment of +3 D in 6.50-mm POZ results in 5.75-mm EOZ (7.75-mm NPOZ), treatments in 7.00-mm POZ result in about 6.25-mm EOZ (8.25-mm nomogrammed POZ). Conclusions: FOZPost was significantly smaller than FOZPre. EOZΔRMSho was similar to POZ, whereas EOZRMS(ΔHOAb) was significantly smaller. Differences were larger for smaller POZ or larger Defocus. SEq up to +2 D result in EOZ, at least, as large as POZ. For SEq higher than +2 D, a nomogram for OZ can be applied.