Influence of laser polarization on ocular refractive parameters after refractive surgery

We provide an adjustment factor for ablation algorithms used in photorefractive laser surgery that takes into account how laser polarization in reflection losses affects the cornea. We evaluate the influence of this factor on corneal radius and asphericity after surgery, showing that it is significant for visual performance (effective visual acuity is reduced) and for the correction of eye aberrations. Our data indicate that this adjustment factor should be included in the ablation algorithms (depending on the polarization state of each laser device) that are proposed for customized corneal ablation, which need great accuracy for minimization of eye aberrations.