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New thermal keratoplasty technique may offer effective, gentle approach to presbyopia
ROME — Two-year results with optimal keratoplasty show that the technique may be a safe, effective and gentle approach to presbyopia, according to one surgeon.
Stello Pecoraro, MD, presented the 2-year results of a study carried out in Nassau, Bahamas, by K. Jonathan Rodgers, MD, on a group of 34 emmetropic presbyopic patients who received an average of two Opti-K treatments (NTK Enterprises) over this period of time.
Stello Pecoraro
“The effect of optimal keratoplasty is not permanent, but this may be an advantage in addressing the progressive refractive changes induced by the aging crystalline lens,” Pecoraro said at the joint Refractive.online and SICCSO meeting.
Patients can be treated several times without causing damage to the eye, because unlike previous forms of thermal keratoplasty, Opti-K does not harm the epithelium and stroma.
“A sapphire window placed between the cornea and the laser source exerts a cooling effect that prevents thermal damage,” he said.
At 2 years, mean binocular uncorrected near vision was J2, with no loss of distance vision.
A group of five surgeons in Palermo, Italy, has been using Opti-K in a group of 35 emmetropic or hyperopic presbyopes. The follow-up is currently approaching 6 months for some of the patients and results seem encouraging, Pecoraro said.
- Disclosure: Pecoraro has no relevant financial disclosures.