Excimer laser corneal ablation: absence of a significant "incubation" effect

Pulse-to-pulse consistency of excimer laser etching of cornea has been examined via two noncontact techniques: photoacoustic probe beam deflection, and time-resolved excimer pulse reflectometry. These methods clearly document the incubation phenomenon accompanying excimer laser ablation of polymethyl-methacrylate and the absence of the effect during polyimide ablation. In comparison, results for corneal ablation indicate consistent tissue etching over a train of pulses. Consequently, incubation appears to have negligible impact on corneal ablation.