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New software may enhance scanning laser polarimetry
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An enhanced corneal compensation algorithm seems to be more effective than variable corneal compensation in neutralizing atypical polarization and uncompensated corneal retardation, according to researchers.
Marta Toth, MD, and colleagues assessed the potential advantages of an enhanced corneal compensation system in scanning laser polarimetry in a study in 15 healthy ametropic patients. The researchers imaged one eye of each patient before they underwent LASIK and 7 days after the surgery using scanning laser polarimetry. Anterior segment birefringence was assessed at each measurement session.
The typical scan score-value was higher for the enhanced corneal compensation both before and after LASIK and was not influenced by LASIK in either of two compensation models used in the analysis. Both the axis and the magnitude of corneal birefringence were altered after LASIK. With the standard method, all eyes showed uncompensated birefringence after LASIK, but none did in with the enhanced version. In the standard method before surgery, the LASIK-induced retinal nerve fiber layer thickness change was significant in the temporal, superior and nasal quadrants. After LASIK, there was no difference comparing the standard and enhanced methods pre- or post-surgery when measuring retinal nerve fiber layers.
The study is published in the February issue of Journal of Glaucoma.