Wavefront-guided laser in situ keratomileusis: early results in three eyes

Wavefront optical aberrations induced by refractive corneal surgery correction of myopia are probably the reason for deterioration of visual performance in some eyes after surgery. Customized photoablation of the cornea to correct both the sphero-cylindrical refractive error as well as individual optical aberrations may improve postoperative visual acuity and visual performance.

In 3 eyes of 3 patients the wavefront deviations were measured by means of an aberrometer of the Tscherning-type. Based on these measurements an ablation pattern was determined and applied during a LASIK procedure using a Wavelight Allegretto scanning spot excimer laser with a spot size of 1 mm and a laser repetition rate of 200 Hz. The 3 eyes are part of a prospective study on wavefront-guided LASIK started in July 1999.

At 1 month after LASIK, all 3 eyes had gained up to 2 lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved to 20/10 in all 3 eyes, uncorrected visual acuity was 20/10 in two eyes, and 20/12.5 in 1 eye 1 month postoperatively. The wavefront deviations were reduced by 27% on average. At 3 months, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/10 in 2 eyes and 20/12.5 in 1 eye.

Wavefront-guided LASIK is a feasible approach in refractive corneal surgery. Optimized ablation patterns may further improve the visual results.