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Intraoperative pachymetry during excimer photorefractive keratectomy
Z Z Nagy1, I Süveges, J Németh
1First Department of Ophthalmology, Semmelweis University Medical School, Budapest, Hungary.
Acta Chirurgica Hungarica
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Ultrasonic pachymetry accurately measures corneal thickness before and during photorefractive surgery. This method aids in planning treatments and controlling excimer laser calibration for safer outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Surgical Technology
Background:
- Accurate pre- and intraoperative corneal thickness measurement is crucial for photorefractive surgery and phototherapeutic treatments.
- Corneal thickness influences surgical planning and refractive outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of ultrasonic pachymetry for measuring corneal thickness during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
- To assess the correlation between ultrasonic pachymetry and excimer laser measurements of ablated tissue.
Main Methods:
- Fourteen eyes underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using an ArF excimer laser.
- Corneal thickness was measured preoperatively and intraoperatively using a Humphrey ultrasonic pachymeter (Model 855).
- Epithelium thickness and photoablated tissue thickness were recorded.
Main Results:
- Preoperative corneal thickness averaged 548.14 microns; mechanically removed epithelium averaged 51.5 microns.
- Post-PRK corneal thickness decreased to 440.78 microns, with an average of 55.86 microns of tissue photoablated.
- Ultrasonic pachymeter measurements correlated well with excimer laser calculations of tissue ablation.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonic pachymetry is suitable for evaluating pre- and intraoperative corneal thickness in PRK.
- Echobiometric pachymetry is valuable for planning and executing phototherapeutic treatments.
- This method allows intraoperative assessment of ablated tissue, reducing risks and aiding laser calibration control.