[Correction of astigmatism with the Excimer laser]

Excimer laser corneal T-excisions for the correction of astigmatism in eight eyes followed up for three months postoperatively revealed an effective change in refraction of up to 4.2 diopters. The effect depends on the depth of the excision. Although the clinical results agree with astigmatism theory predictions from a biomechanical model of the cornea, some features are not explained by the model. The temporal behavior of the changes in refraction subsequent to excimer laser excisions differ from those produced by blade incisions, indicating a different repair mechanism. The keratectomy technique employed did not result in any serious side effects.