Treatment of irregular astigmatism with a 213 nm solid-state, diode-pumped neodymium:YAG ablative laser.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To present the outcome of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using a new neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser in patients with irregular astigmatism.

SETTING:

Claremont Eye Clinic, Claremont, and the University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

METHODS:

In 3 patients with irregular astigmatism, PRK was performed with a solid-state, 213 nm wavelength, 300 Hz scanning-spot, diode-pumped Nd:YAG ablative laser (CustomVis Pulzar laser system). The 3 patients had had previous PRK with penetrating keratoplasty, astigmatic keratotomy, or limbal relaxing incisions. At 3 and 6 months, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), manifest refraction, contrast sensitivity, and corneal topography were measured.

RESULTS:

The first patient had a 1-line improvement in BSCVA and a 4-line improvement in UCVA, a 3.00 diopter (D) decrease in keratometric cylinder, and improvement in contrast sensitivity. The second patient had a 7.00 D decrease in myopia in 1 meridian and a 4.25 D decrease in the refractive cylinder in the other meridian. The third patient had a 2-line improvement in BSCVA, a 5-line improvement in UCVA, a 2.00 D decrease in the refractive cylinder, and improvement in contrast sensitivity.

CONCLUSION:

The laser's combination of a small spot, a fast pulse rate, and ultrafast tracking/scanning resulted in good results in 3 patients with difficult irregular astigmatism.

• Authors: Ian Anderson, Donald R Sanders, Paul van Saarloos, William J Ardrey 4th
• Journal: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery (J Cataract Refract Surg) Vol. 30 Issue 10 Pg. 2145-51 (Oct 2004) ISSN: 0886-3350 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15474828 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adult
• Astigmatism (surgery)
• Contrast Sensitivity (physiology)
• Cornea (surgery)
• Corneal Topography
• Female
• Humans
• Keratoplasty, Penetrating
• Keratotomy, Radial
• Lasers, Excimer
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Photorefractive Keratectomy (methods)
• Treatment Outcome
• Visual Acuity (physiology)