[Laser coagulation of the cornea with a holmium:YAG laser for correction of hyperopia]

We present a new technique of hyperopic correction similar to radial thermokeratoplasty. A pulsed Ho: YAG laser was used that emitted radiation at 2.06 microns and was guided by a quartz fiber and a focusing hand piece. The penetration depth of this light in the cornea is about 400 microns. Eight or 16 concentric point coagulations result in steepening in the central cornea. This refractive change is inverse related to the distance to the cornea center, and it increases linearly with increasing laser pulse energy. In four blind eyes it was demonstrated that the parameters evaluated in cadaver eyes can be transferred to living eyes. Surprisingly, the refractive change so created of up to 5 dpt is stable within a period of 4 months. Immediately after surgery, concentric descemet folds can be detected, which gradually decrease within the period reported.