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Intrastromal femtosecond laser astigmatic keratotomy reduces low to moderate astigmatism
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CHICAGO — Intrastromal femtosecond laser astigmatic keratotomy is a safe and viable method of correcting low to moderate astigmatism after previous refractive surgery, according to a study presented here.
“There are many advantages of doing intrastromal astigmatic keratotomy,” Steven C. Schallhorn, MD, said during Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day preceding the joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology. “There’s no epithelial injury. It’s a very quick procedure with fast visual recovery.”
The study included 55 eyes of 49 patients with an average age of 50 years. Patients first underwent LASIK or PRK and then underwent astigmatic keratotomy 3 months to 5 years after excimer laser ablation.
Study results showed that cylinder diminished after 1 month and 3 months. Spherical equivalent refraction remained around 0 D from before surgery to after surgery.
“Just like regular manual incisions, there was a coupling effect that occurred,” Schallhorn said.
Higher levels of astigmatism generally showed a higher level of correction. However, there was some degree of undercorrection, Schallhorn said.
Greater reduction of astigmatism correlated with patient age. Most patients had a small astigmatic axis shift. There was some improvement in uncorrected visual acuity.
“Age seems to play a factor in how much correction gets performed,” Schallhorn said.
Further refinements of optical zones and arc angle are warranted, he said.
“We’re relatively new in this,” Schallhorn said. “Obviously, nomogram adjustments and other things we’re going to need to understand to adjust with it.”
Disclosure: Schallhorn is a consultant to Abbott Medical Optics.