Corneal wavefront-guided ablation with the Schwind ESIRIS laser for myopia

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• Wavefront Aberrometry

Background:

• Myopia and myopic astigmatism are common refractive errors.
• Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a widely used refractive surgery.
• Corneal wavefront analysis offers potential for customized refractive correction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety, efficacy, and predictability of corneal wavefront-guided LASIK.
• To evaluate visual outcomes, including uncorrected visual acuity and refractive error.
• To analyze changes in corneal higher-order wavefront aberrations and contrast sensitivity.

Main Methods:

• 56 myopic eyes with astigmatism underwent corneal wavefront analysis.
• Customized ablation profiles were generated using preoperative wavefront data and manifest refraction.
• Safety, efficacy, predictability, contrast sensitivity, and higher-order aberrations were evaluated at 1-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• Mean residual refractive error was -0.15 +/- 0.3 D; 95% of eyes achieved +/- 0.50 D correction.
• Uncorrected visual acuity improved by 1.00 D or better in 94% of eyes.
• Corneal higher-order aberrations increased significantly postoperatively; contrast sensitivity showed minor reductions with glare.

Conclusions:

• Corneal wavefront-guided LASIK is a safe and effective treatment for myopia and myopic astigmatism.
• The procedure leads to significant improvements in visual acuity and refractive accuracy.
• An increase in higher-order aberrations is a notable postoperative finding.