Advanced surface ablation for presbyopia using the Nidek EC-5000 laser.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• Corneal Surgery

Background:

• Presbyopia, an age-related loss of accommodation, significantly impacts near vision.
• Surgical correction of presbyopia remains a challenge, with various techniques explored.
• Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a common refractive surgery procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the 1 to 6-month follow-up results of LASIK using multizone presbyopic advanced surface ablation (PASA) with a peripheral near zone.
• To assess the efficacy of this novel approach for correcting presbyopia.

Main Methods:

• LASIK was performed on 28 eyes of 17 patients (mean age 49.8 years).
• Procedures included total transepithelial ablation, surface ablation for distance correction, and concentric peripheral near zone correction for presbyopia.
• The Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser was utilized, with a modified nomogram for surface ablation.

Main Results:

• Postoperative measurements included uncorrected visual acuity (far and near), high-order aberrations, spherical aberration, asphericity index, and corneal shape factor.
• Increases in negative spherical aberration, negative asphericity index, and positive eccentricity corneal shape factor were observed.
• These changes correlated with improved near vision.

Conclusions:

• Multizone PASA with a peripheral near zone is a promising surgical option for presbyopia correction.
• This technique may be adaptable to other advanced surface ablation procedures.
• Observed increases in aberrations appear to enhance the eye's depth of focus, thereby improving near visual acuity.