Epithelial imaging important for irregular corneas, re-treatment
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WASHINGTON — Stable and predictable healing of the epithelium is important for achieving positive refractive surgery outcomes, according to a speaker here.
The epithelium will often attempt to “undo” changes made to the cornea, with a trend toward regression as the epithelium heals, Julie Schallhorn, MD, said at Refractive Day at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
“If you have somebody who does not heal well, your treatment is going to be way off,” she said.
Schallhorn said epithelial imaging is useful for preoperative LASIK or PRK, patients undergoing re-treatment after LASIK or PRK, and patients with irregular corneas.
“I love epithelial imaging. I use it all the time, and I really think it’s great for pre-oping patients for any kind of refractive surgery,” Schallhorn said. “It’s really critical if you’re planning on doing a re-treatment. You really need to know what the epithelium is doing.”