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Holmium:YAG thermokeratoplasty: treatment parameters for astigmatism induction based upon spherical enucleated human
Background:
The refractive outcome of thermokeratoplasty for astigmatism correction depends upon the optical zone diameter (OZD) and coagulation angle (CA; distance between two coagulation spots around the flat meridian).
Methods:
Astigmatism was induced in 36 spherical human eye-bank eyes (Ho:YAG laser, 15 Hz, 20 mJ/pulse, 25 pulses per coagulation spot) with different OZDs and CAs. Thirty eyes received free-hand laser application (marked positions). Six eyes were treated using a suction mask, providing a constant OZD of 8.1 mm and an angle of 22.5 degrees between the laser spots. To compare the results, silicone replicas of the eyes were made pre- and postoperatively and analyzed by video-topometery.
Results:
With an average decrease of 4 D/mm the refractive change is inversely linear to the OZD. Changes of the CA showed significant variations between 22.5 degrees and 45 degrees, only. Mask guidance leads to the same amount of average refractive change. The deviation is +/- 3.4 D for the freehand application but only +/- 0.8 D for mask guidance.
Conclusion:
The data obtained in this in vitro study are transferred to a treatment nomogram describing the immediate postoperative refractive change, not identical with the final refraction. The results of the study are limited by the fact that astigmatism was induced in spherical corneas, rather than correcting preexisting ones.