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Novel laser ablation profile improves asphericity in low to moderate myopia
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Combined transepithelial PRK and SmartSurfACE treatment showed the ability to maintain or slightly improve corneal asphericity in patients with low to moderate myopia.
SmartSurfACE technology (Schwind eye-tech-solutions) uses a three-dimensional model based on fullerene structure to produce a smooth corneal surface. In a retrospective study, the results of 106 eyes treated with this technique to correct myopic astigmatism were analyzed.
Patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of myopia and were reviewed at 3 months postop. The low myopia group had the greatest improvement in average negative asphericity, from–0.04 ± 0.17 preoperatively to –0.19 ± 0.20 postoperatively. The differences from preoperative and expected postoperative asphericity were statistically significant.
The moderate myopia group maintained or slightly improved negative asphericity, with a mean change from –0.07 ± 0.14 preoperatively to –0.05 ± 0.24 postoperatively. In this group, the difference was not statistically significant from preoperative asphericity but statistically significant from expected postoperative asphericity.
In the high myopia group, the treatment resulted in a more oblate profile, with a change from –0.09 ± 0.15 preoperatively to 0.62 ± 0.70 postoperatively, showing statistically significant differences from the preoperative and the expected postoperative values.
“The postoperative corneal asphericity showed a high dependence on the planned refractive correction,” the authors noted. “The ability to preserve naturally low negative Q-values with SmartSurfACE after treatment will also likely benefit the emmetropic presbyopic group of patients, many of whom will also have spherification (Q-value approaching 0) of their crystalline lens and therefore benefit from the negative asphericity of their corneas after treatment.” – by Michela Cimberle
Disclosures: Lin reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
Perspective
Back to TopPaolo Vinciguerra, MD
This study shows that the new SmartSurfACE is able to correct myopia, maintaining the natural prolate shape of the cornea and positively impacting quality of vision. Patients enjoy better outcomes, with less risk for developing night halos. Our paper on SmartPulse technology in the Journal of Refractive Surgery does already state this. Our custom approach allowed better predictability of the final result in terms of spherical aberration because any ablation is linked to the individual patient’s corneal shape. Larger spread of correction is desirable for more reliable outcomes and conclusions.
Reference:
Vinciguerra P, et al. J Refract Surg. 2017;doi:10.3928/1081597X-20161122-01.
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