Presbyopic Excimer Laser Ablation: A Review

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Refractive Surgery
• Corneal Laser Surgery

Background:

• Presbyopia, the age-related loss of accommodation, affects near vision.
• Excimer laser surgery offers various ablation profiles to address presbyopia.
• Understanding the efficacy and safety of these profiles is crucial for patient selection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the efficacy and safety of current excimer laser ablation profiles for presbyopia.
• To evaluate outcomes in both previously myopic and hyperopic eyes.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies on excimer laser presbyopic ablation profiles.
• Analysis of reported visual acuity outcomes (uncorrected distance and near visual acuity).
• Assessment of safety data, including loss of corrected distance visual acuity.

Main Results:

• Various excimer laser presbyopic approaches demonstrated high efficacy in both myopic and hyperopic eyes.
• High percentages of patients achieved good uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and near visual acuity (UNVA).
• Minimal loss of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was observed, with variations between myopic and hyperopic groups.

Conclusions:

• Excimer laser presbyopic strategies effectively achieve spectacle independence.
• Reliable and safe surgical options exist for both myopic and hyperopic patients.
• Satisfactory visual outcomes for both near and distance vision are achievable.