Thesis (PhD) - Swinburne University of Technology, Industrial Research Institute Swinburne - 2006. / A thesis submitted to the Industrial Research Institute, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Swinburne, ne University of Technology - 2006. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (p. 218-229).

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are a class of membrane-bound receptor proteins capable of relaying a biological signal across a cell membrane through a solely conformational change in their transmembrane domain. Previous work has shown that helical foldamers composed of achiral monomeric units can be used in an analogous manner to relay stereochemical information on the nano-scale through the conformational control of screw-sense preference. While this work has produced some highly successful examples of signal relay, mimicking the function of GPCRs, its reliance on screw-sense responsive NMR probes has restricted further development into membrane environments. This thesis describes the successful development of a pyrene based screw-sense responsive fluorescence probe and its subsequent use in the development of a series of membrane-based GPCR mimics. This thesis has also details the preliminary steps towards the development of light-responsive controllers of screw-sense preference for nano-scale signal relay devices.

No description available.

No description available.

An investigation into the feasibility of laser ablation as a material selective removal technique was conducted. Polyimide films approximately 1 micron thick were prepared on silicon wafers. The ablation rate of these films as a function of laser fluence was studied. It was observed that a minimum threshold fluence of 67 +/- 6 mJ/cm^2 had to be surpassed to achieve a significant material removal rate. In addition to polyimide, the removal and damage characteristics of aluminum films were also examined. These films, which ranged in thickness from 50 to 1000 nm, were deposited on polyimide coated silicon wafers. It was found that the best results were produced by a single shot removal technique, with the quality of the hole dependent upon the incident fluence. At lower fluences, removal ceased and only physical damage to the film occurred. In an attempt to characterize this damage, the electrical resistance of small aluminum wires was monitored as they were exposed to laser pulses. It was found that a change in the resistance of the wires could not be detected prior to the onset of visible damage. Once the optimal removal fluences for both materials were determined, a multilayer consisting of an aluminum layer "sandwiched" between two polyimide layers was prepared. By varying only the incident fluence, it was possible to remove upper layers without removing or damaging the underlying ones. In a related experiment, the possible incubation of polyimide by low fluence laser pulses was also examined. / Thesis / Master of Engineering (ME)

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia, estabilidade, previsibilidade e segurança da ceratectomia fotorrefrativa (PRK) guiada pelas frentes de onda corneana para o tratamento da hipermetropia secundária à ceratotomia radial (CR). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados prospectivamente 61 olhos de 39 pacientes consecutivos, submetidos a PRK personalizado com o laser Esiris-Schwind. A técnica constou de desepitelização mecânica, fotoablação, e utilização de mitomicina C (MMC) 0,02% por 20 ou 40 segundos. A MMC foi aplicada por 40 segundos em 17 olhos (27,9%) que haviam sido submetidos a ablações mais profundas do que 100 ?m ou apresentavam córneas previamente suturadas. As avaliações pós-operatórias foram realizadas após sete dias, um, seis, 12 e 24 meses. Todos os olhos foram avaliados após um ano e dois anos. RESULTADOS: O intervalo médio entre a CR e o PRK foi de 18,8 anos ± 3,8 (DP); o equivalente esférico (EE) médio antes da ceratotomia radial era -4,10 dioptrias (D) ± 1,44. As medidas prévias ao PRK mostraram EE médio de +4,17 D ± 1,97; astigmatismo médio de -1,39 D ± 1,04; AV com correção (AVcc) média de 0,161 ± 0,137 (logMAR); e curvatura corneana média de 35,85 ± 3,60 D. Os resultados encontrados dois anos após a cirurgia foram: EE médio de 0,14 ± 0,99 D (p < 0,001); astigmatismo médio de -1,19 ± 1,02 D (p = 0,627); AV sem correção (AVsc) média de 0,265 ± 0,196 (p < 0,001); AVcc média de 0,072 ± 0,094 (p < 0,001); e curvatura corneana média de 39,01 ± 3,18 D (p < 0,001). AVsc igual ou melhor a 20/25 foi observada em 38% dos olhos e igual ou melhor a 20/40 em 69%. A AVcc melhorou em 62,3% dos olhos, sendo que 21 olhos (34,4%) melhoraram uma linha e outros 17 olhos (27,9%), duas ou mais linhas. Um olho (1,6%) perdeu duas linhas devido ao astigmatismo irregular ocasionado por opacificação corneana periférica. Outro olho perdeu três linhas pelo desenvolvimento de ectasia corneana entre seis e 24 meses, devido ao alargamento progressivo de uma incisão radial inferior, e foi posteriormente submetido à sutura da incisão. Houve 30 olhos (49,2%) entre ± 0,50 D do EE planejado e 45 (73,8%) entre ± 1,00 D. Entre seis e 24 meses, a regressão média do EE foi de +0,39 D (p < 0,05) e cinco olhos (8,3%) sofreram desvio hipermetrópico > 1,00 D. Ocorreu redução estatisticamente significante do coma (p = 0,001), trefoil (p = 0,008), aberração esférica (p < 0,001), astigmatismo secundário (p = 0,001) e quatrefoil (p < 0,001). Não houve mudança estatisticamente significativa da contagem endotelial (p = 0,161). Dois olhos (3,3%) desenvolveram opacificação corneana periférica grau 2 e um, grau 3. CONCLUSÃO: O PRK personalizado pelas frentes de onda corneana coadjuvado pela MMC foi eficaz, previsível e seguro pelo período de dois anos para a redução da hipermetropia após a CR. No pós-operatório observou-se melhora significativa da AVsc, AVcc e das aberrações corneanas. Constatou-se, entretanto, que a hipermetropia consecutiva à CR continua a progredir após o tratamento com o excimer laser. / PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy, stability, predictability and safety of corneal wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for correcting hyperopia after radial keratotomy (RK). METHODS: In a prospective study, 61 eyes of 39 consecutive patients were treated with PRK using an Esiris-Schwind excimer laser. Corneal epithelium was mechanically removed, followed by photoablation and use of 0.02% mitomycin C (MMC) for 20 or 40 seconds. MMC was used for 40 seconds in 18 eyes (27.9%) which underwent ablations deeper than 100 micron or had previous corneal sutures. Postoperative evaluations were performed after seven days, six, 12 and 24 months. All patients were followed up for two years. RESULTS: The mean time between RK and PRK was 18.8 years ± 3.8 (SD); mean spherical equivalent (SE) before RK was -4.10 diopters (D) ± 1.44. Before PRK, the mean SE was +4.17 D ± 1.97, mean astigmatism was -1.39 D ± 1.04, the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.161 ± 0.137 (logMAR) and the mean corneal curvature was 35.85 ± 3.60 D. At 24 months, mean SE was 0.14 ± 0.99 D (p < 0.001), mean astigmatism was -1.19 ± 1.02 D (p = 0.627), mean UCVA was 0.265 ± 0.196 (p < 0.001), mean BSCVA was 0.072 ± 0.094 (p < 0.001) and the mean corneal curvature was 39.01 ± 3.18 D (p < 0.001). UCVA was 20/25 or better in 38% of eyes and 20/40 or better in 69%. BCVA improved in 62.3% of eyes, with 21 (34.4%) gaining one line and 17 (27.9%), two or more lines. One eye (1.6%) lost two lines due to irregular astigmatism and peripheral haze. Another eye lost three lines due to keratectasia occurring between six and 24 months resulting from widening of an inferior radial incision that was later sutured. Thirty eyes (49.2%) were within ± 0.50 D of intended SE and 45 (73.8%) were within ± 1.00 D. From six to 24 months, the mean SE regression was +0.39 D (p < 0.05) and five eyes (8.3%) had a hyperopic shift > 1.00 D. A significant decrease in coma (p = 0.001), trefoil (p = 0.008), spherical aberration (p < 0.001), secondary astigmatism (p = 0.001) and quatrefoil (p < 0.001) was observed. Endothelial cell counts did not show a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.161). Two eyes (3.3%) developed peripheral haze grade 2 and one, grade 3. CONCLUSION: Corneal wavefront-guided PRK with MMC was effective, predictable and safe after two years for the treatment of hyperopia after RK. A significant improvement in UCVA, BSCVA and corneal aberrations was obtained. However, hyperopic shift after RK continued to progress after excimer laser surgery.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia, estabilidade, previsibilidade e segurança da ceratectomia fotorrefrativa (PRK) guiada pelas frentes de onda corneana para o tratamento da hipermetropia secundária à ceratotomia radial (CR). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados prospectivamente 61 olhos de 39 pacientes consecutivos, submetidos a PRK personalizado com o laser Esiris-Schwind. A técnica constou de desepitelização mecânica, fotoablação, e utilização de mitomicina C (MMC) 0,02% por 20 ou 40 segundos. A MMC foi aplicada por 40 segundos em 17 olhos (27,9%) que haviam sido submetidos a ablações mais profundas do que 100 ?m ou apresentavam córneas previamente suturadas. As avaliações pós-operatórias foram realizadas após sete dias, um, seis, 12 e 24 meses. Todos os olhos foram avaliados após um ano e dois anos. RESULTADOS: O intervalo médio entre a CR e o PRK foi de 18,8 anos ± 3,8 (DP); o equivalente esférico (EE) médio antes da ceratotomia radial era -4,10 dioptrias (D) ± 1,44. As medidas prévias ao PRK mostraram EE médio de +4,17 D ± 1,97; astigmatismo médio de -1,39 D ± 1,04; AV com correção (AVcc) média de 0,161 ± 0,137 (logMAR); e curvatura corneana média de 35,85 ± 3,60 D. Os resultados encontrados dois anos após a cirurgia foram: EE médio de 0,14 ± 0,99 D (p < 0,001); astigmatismo médio de -1,19 ± 1,02 D (p = 0,627); AV sem correção (AVsc) média de 0,265 ± 0,196 (p < 0,001); AVcc média de 0,072 ± 0,094 (p < 0,001); e curvatura corneana média de 39,01 ± 3,18 D (p < 0,001). AVsc igual ou melhor a 20/25 foi observada em 38% dos olhos e igual ou melhor a 20/40 em 69%. A AVcc melhorou em 62,3% dos olhos, sendo que 21 olhos (34,4%) melhoraram uma linha e outros 17 olhos (27,9%), duas ou mais linhas. Um olho (1,6%) perdeu duas linhas devido ao astigmatismo irregular ocasionado por opacificação corneana periférica. Outro olho perdeu três linhas pelo desenvolvimento de ectasia corneana entre seis e 24 meses, devido ao alargamento progressivo de uma incisão radial inferior, e foi posteriormente submetido à sutura da incisão. Houve 30 olhos (49,2%) entre ± 0,50 D do EE planejado e 45 (73,8%) entre ± 1,00 D. Entre seis e 24 meses, a regressão média do EE foi de +0,39 D (p < 0,05) e cinco olhos (8,3%) sofreram desvio hipermetrópico > 1,00 D. Ocorreu redução estatisticamente significante do coma (p = 0,001), trefoil (p = 0,008), aberração esférica (p < 0,001), astigmatismo secundário (p = 0,001) e quatrefoil (p < 0,001). Não houve mudança estatisticamente significativa da contagem endotelial (p = 0,161). Dois olhos (3,3%) desenvolveram opacificação corneana periférica grau 2 e um, grau 3. CONCLUSÃO: O PRK personalizado pelas frentes de onda corneana coadjuvado pela MMC foi eficaz, previsível e seguro pelo período de dois anos para a redução da hipermetropia após a CR. No pós-operatório observou-se melhora significativa da AVsc, AVcc e das aberrações corneanas. Constatou-se, entretanto, que a hipermetropia consecutiva à CR continua a progredir após o tratamento com o excimer laser. / PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy, stability, predictability and safety of corneal wavefront-guided photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for correcting hyperopia after radial keratotomy (RK). METHODS: In a prospective study, 61 eyes of 39 consecutive patients were treated with PRK using an Esiris-Schwind excimer laser. Corneal epithelium was mechanically removed, followed by photoablation and use of 0.02% mitomycin C (MMC) for 20 or 40 seconds. MMC was used for 40 seconds in 18 eyes (27.9%) which underwent ablations deeper than 100 micron or had previous corneal sutures. Postoperative evaluations were performed after seven days, six, 12 and 24 months. All patients were followed up for two years. RESULTS: The mean time between RK and PRK was 18.8 years ± 3.8 (SD); mean spherical equivalent (SE) before RK was -4.10 diopters (D) ± 1.44. Before PRK, the mean SE was +4.17 D ± 1.97, mean astigmatism was -1.39 D ± 1.04, the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.161 ± 0.137 (logMAR) and the mean corneal curvature was 35.85 ± 3.60 D. At 24 months, mean SE was 0.14 ± 0.99 D (p < 0.001), mean astigmatism was -1.19 ± 1.02 D (p = 0.627), mean UCVA was 0.265 ± 0.196 (p < 0.001), mean BSCVA was 0.072 ± 0.094 (p < 0.001) and the mean corneal curvature was 39.01 ± 3.18 D (p < 0.001). UCVA was 20/25 or better in 38% of eyes and 20/40 or better in 69%. BCVA improved in 62.3% of eyes, with 21 (34.4%) gaining one line and 17 (27.9%), two or more lines. One eye (1.6%) lost two lines due to irregular astigmatism and peripheral haze. Another eye lost three lines due to keratectasia occurring between six and 24 months resulting from widening of an inferior radial incision that was later sutured. Thirty eyes (49.2%) were within ± 0.50 D of intended SE and 45 (73.8%) were within ± 1.00 D. From six to 24 months, the mean SE regression was +0.39 D (p < 0.05) and five eyes (8.3%) had a hyperopic shift > 1.00 D. A significant decrease in coma (p = 0.001), trefoil (p = 0.008), spherical aberration (p < 0.001), secondary astigmatism (p = 0.001) and quatrefoil (p < 0.001) was observed. Endothelial cell counts did not show a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.161). Two eyes (3.3%) developed peripheral haze grade 2 and one, grade 3. CONCLUSION: Corneal wavefront-guided PRK with MMC was effective, predictable and safe after two years for the treatment of hyperopia after RK. A significant improvement in UCVA, BSCVA and corneal aberrations was obtained. However, hyperopic shift after RK continued to progress after excimer laser surgery.

Introdução: A ceratectornia fotorrefrativa (PRK) é uma das técnicas de cirurgia refrativa mais empregadas no mundo. A despeito de sua efetividade e segurança no tratamento de miopia, hipermetropia e astigmatismo, a dor permanece ainda como um dos grandes desafios no período pós-operatório da PRK. Embora a associação dos fármacos codeína (opióide oral) e paracetamol (analgésico) seja amplamente empregada no período pós-cirúrgico de várias especialidades médicas. a eficácia e segurança dessa associação não foi avaliada no manejo da dor no pós-PRK. Objetivo: O objetivo da presente tese foi testar a combinação codeína + paracetamol no manejo da dor pós-PRK. Métodos: Trata-se de um ensaio clínico controlado por placebo, randomizado, paralelo e duplo-cego. O subdelineamento é do tipo \"add-on \", isto é. o grupo da intervenção recebeu a terapia padrão + a intervenção. enquanto o grupo controle recebeu a terapia padrão + placebo. A amostra foi composta por 41 participantes (82 olhos) - por meio do delineamento \"olhos pareados\" (paired-eye design), ou seja, o olho foi a unidade de análise. As cirurgias foram realizadas com duas semanas de intervalo. Um olho recebeu codeína (30 mg) + paracetamol (500 mg) 4x1dia por quatro dias (período A), enquanto o outro olho recebeu placebo 4x/dia por quatro dias (período B). Tanto a alocação (intervenção ou placebo) quanto a ordem (A-B ou B-A) foram aleatorizadas. A dor foi avaliada por meio de três escalas: questionário de dor McGill (MPQ). Inventário Resumido da Dor (I3PI) e escala visual análoga (EVA) nos períodos I, 24, 48 e 72 horas após a cirurgia. O período de seguimento total foi de quatro meses. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 30 anos (rnin-máx: 22-52), dos quais 67% foram mulheres. Dos 82 olhos inicialmente arrolados no estudo, 80 completaram os quatro meses de seguimento (40 na intervenção e 40 no placebo). Os escores medianos de dor mensurados pela EVA foram significativamente mais baixos no grupo da intervenção comparado com o grupo placebo - durante todo o período do pós- cirúrgico imediato (1-48 horas). Os eventos adversos foram brandos e de fácil manejo clínico; os mais comuns foram sonolência, náusea e constipação. Após um seguimento de quatro meses, não foi observado nenhum retardo na resposta de cicatrização da córnea ou haze. Conclusões: A combinação de codeína (30mg) e paracetamol (500mg) via oral (4x/dia) é segura e significativamente superior ao placebo para o controle da dor após a PRK / Introduction: Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is one of most widely performed types of refractive surgery in the world. In spite of its effectiveness and safety for the treatment of myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism, pain remains one of the biggest clinical challenges during the early postoperative period after PRK. Although the combination of codeine (an oral opioid) plus acetaminophcn (an analgesic) has been widely used during the postoperative period in many medical specialties, both its efficacy and safety have not been formally investigated for pain control after PRK. Objective: To carry out a randomized, controlled c1inical trial, specifically dcsigned to test whether the combination of codeine + acetaminophen is efficacious and safe for pain control after PRK. Methods: Double-blind (patients and outcome assessors), randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled trial. An add-on design was adopted. tl.at is, the intervention group received the standard of care therapy + codeine/acetaminophen, whereas the control group received the standard o[ care therapy + placebo. The sample encompassed 41 participants (82 eyes) through the \"paired-eye design\". In other words, the eye was the unity of analysis. Surgeries were performed two weeks ap311. One eye received codeine (30mg) + acetaminophen (500mg) 4x/day for four days (period A), whereas the fellow (control) eye received placebo 4x/day for four days (period B). Both treatrnents (intervention or placebo) and treatment order (A-B or B-A) were randomly chosen. Pain was asscsscd at 1, 24, 48 and 72h postopcrativcly by three scales: visual analogue scale (VAS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MQP) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). The total follow-up period was 4 months. Results: The mean age of patients was 30 years (rnin-max: 22-52) and 67% (27/40) were female. Ofthe initial 82 eyes, 80 completed the trial (40 in the intervention 31m, 40 in the placebo arm). Median pain scores as measured by the VAS were significantly lower during treatment with codeine/acetaminophen compared to the placebo throughout the early postoperative period (1-48h). Virtually identical results were obtained by the MQP and BPI scales, suggesting that the intervention can have a positive impact not only on the pain intensity, but also on the multidimensional aspects of pain, such as interference on activities of daily living as well as emotional status. Adverse events (AEs) were usually mild and easily managed. The most common AEs were drowsiness, nausea and constipation. After a follow- up period of four months, no case of delayed epithelial healing or haze was observed in both treatment arms. Conclusions: When added to the standard of care therapy, the oral combination of codeine (30mg) and acetaminophen (500mg) given 4x/day was safe and significantly superior to placebo for pain control after PRK

Introdução: A ceratectornia fotorrefrativa (PRK) é uma das técnicas de cirurgia refrativa mais empregadas no mundo. A despeito de sua efetividade e segurança no tratamento de miopia, hipermetropia e astigmatismo, a dor permanece ainda como um dos grandes desafios no período pós-operatório da PRK. Embora a associação dos fármacos codeína (opióide oral) e paracetamol (analgésico) seja amplamente empregada no período pós-cirúrgico de várias especialidades médicas. a eficácia e segurança dessa associação não foi avaliada no manejo da dor no pós-PRK. Objetivo: O objetivo da presente tese foi testar a combinação codeína + paracetamol no manejo da dor pós-PRK. Métodos: Trata-se de um ensaio clínico controlado por placebo, randomizado, paralelo e duplo-cego. O subdelineamento é do tipo \"add-on \", isto é. o grupo da intervenção recebeu a terapia padrão + a intervenção. enquanto o grupo controle recebeu a terapia padrão + placebo. A amostra foi composta por 41 participantes (82 olhos) - por meio do delineamento \"olhos pareados\" (paired-eye design), ou seja, o olho foi a unidade de análise. As cirurgias foram realizadas com duas semanas de intervalo. Um olho recebeu codeína (30 mg) + paracetamol (500 mg) 4x1dia por quatro dias (período A), enquanto o outro olho recebeu placebo 4x/dia por quatro dias (período B). Tanto a alocação (intervenção ou placebo) quanto a ordem (A-B ou B-A) foram aleatorizadas. A dor foi avaliada por meio de três escalas: questionário de dor McGill (MPQ). Inventário Resumido da Dor (I3PI) e escala visual análoga (EVA) nos períodos I, 24, 48 e 72 horas após a cirurgia. O período de seguimento total foi de quatro meses. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes foi de 30 anos (rnin-máx: 22-52), dos quais 67% foram mulheres. Dos 82 olhos inicialmente arrolados no estudo, 80 completaram os quatro meses de seguimento (40 na intervenção e 40 no placebo). Os escores medianos de dor mensurados pela EVA foram significativamente mais baixos no grupo da intervenção comparado com o grupo placebo - durante todo o período do pós- cirúrgico imediato (1-48 horas). Os eventos adversos foram brandos e de fácil manejo clínico; os mais comuns foram sonolência, náusea e constipação. Após um seguimento de quatro meses, não foi observado nenhum retardo na resposta de cicatrização da córnea ou haze. Conclusões: A combinação de codeína (30mg) e paracetamol (500mg) via oral (4x/dia) é segura e significativamente superior ao placebo para o controle da dor após a PRK / Introduction: Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is one of most widely performed types of refractive surgery in the world. In spite of its effectiveness and safety for the treatment of myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism, pain remains one of the biggest clinical challenges during the early postoperative period after PRK. Although the combination of codeine (an oral opioid) plus acetaminophcn (an analgesic) has been widely used during the postoperative period in many medical specialties, both its efficacy and safety have not been formally investigated for pain control after PRK. Objective: To carry out a randomized, controlled c1inical trial, specifically dcsigned to test whether the combination of codeine + acetaminophen is efficacious and safe for pain control after PRK. Methods: Double-blind (patients and outcome assessors), randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled trial. An add-on design was adopted. tl.at is, the intervention group received the standard of care therapy + codeine/acetaminophen, whereas the control group received the standard o[ care therapy + placebo. The sample encompassed 41 participants (82 eyes) through the \"paired-eye design\". In other words, the eye was the unity of analysis. Surgeries were performed two weeks ap311. One eye received codeine (30mg) + acetaminophen (500mg) 4x/day for four days (period A), whereas the fellow (control) eye received placebo 4x/day for four days (period B). Both treatrnents (intervention or placebo) and treatment order (A-B or B-A) were randomly chosen. Pain was asscsscd at 1, 24, 48 and 72h postopcrativcly by three scales: visual analogue scale (VAS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MQP) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). The total follow-up period was 4 months. Results: The mean age of patients was 30 years (rnin-max: 22-52) and 67% (27/40) were female. Ofthe initial 82 eyes, 80 completed the trial (40 in the intervention 31m, 40 in the placebo arm). Median pain scores as measured by the VAS were significantly lower during treatment with codeine/acetaminophen compared to the placebo throughout the early postoperative period (1-48h). Virtually identical results were obtained by the MQP and BPI scales, suggesting that the intervention can have a positive impact not only on the pain intensity, but also on the multidimensional aspects of pain, such as interference on activities of daily living as well as emotional status. Adverse events (AEs) were usually mild and easily managed. The most common AEs were drowsiness, nausea and constipation. After a follow- up period of four months, no case of delayed epithelial healing or haze was observed in both treatment arms. Conclusions: When added to the standard of care therapy, the oral combination of codeine (30mg) and acetaminophen (500mg) given 4x/day was safe and significantly superior to placebo for pain control after PRK

BACKGROUND: Laser vision correction (LVC) developed as a more permanent alternative to other forms of refractive error correction. In the last several decades, visual outcomes of corneal refractive surgeries like LVC have improved dramatically with the discovery of new technologies and techniques designed to make the patient experience more comfortable and worthwhile. LVC has been shown to safely and effectively treat refractive errors in myopic and hyperopic eyes, with gradually improving outcomes and safety measures. However, it is important to note whether specific excimer lasers impart the same level of safe, effective treatments for patients as technology advances. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify whether any statistically significant difference exists in the visual and refractive outcomes of hyperopic laser vision correction using two excimer laser platforms, the VISX STAR S4 IR® and the WaveLight® EX500, and to determine whether either laser shows any statistically significant difference in the rate of repeat surgery within one year post-operatively. METHODS: Using EMR data collected from December 2008 through December 2016, distance and near visual acuity outcomes for hyperopic eyes treated with LASIK, LASEK, or PRK were compared at one month and up to one year post-operatively. Distance eyes were compared separately from monovision (near-targeted) eyes for visual acuity; however, if manifest refraction post-operative data were available, they were used to identify whether any difference existed in the refractive outcomes in either category. The number of enhancements (repeat surgeries) was also tabulated. X2 Tests of Independence were used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS: Visual acuity outcomes in distance eyes at one month post-operatively showed similar trends between the two lasers, with 54% of the 267 VISX- and 60% of the 119 EX500-treated eyes presenting with UCVA of 20/20 or better. Eyes available for follow-up within one year post-operatively kept with this trend; 98 (51%) VISX- and 58 (67%) EX500-treated, eyes had UCVA measured at 20/20 or better. For monovision (treated for reading vision) eyes, 29 (47%) eyes and 19 (54%) of VISX- and EX500-treated eyes, respectively, read J1+ by one month post-operatively. By one year, 16 (39%) and 3 (21%) of available eyes read J1+ after treatment with the VISX and EX500 respectively. The relative enhancement rate was 7.82% (28 eyes) on the VISX and 4.19% (7 eyes) on the EX 500. CONCLUSION: Overall, visual outcomes of laser vision correction for hyperopic patients did not differ consistently between the two lasers. Only distance-treated eyes measured up to one year post-operatively showed a statistically significant difference between the two lasers. The visual and, more importantly, the refractive outcomes were statistically similar at both one month and up to one year post-operatively irrespective of treatment type. Enhancement rate between the two lasers also showed no differences. Both lasers are similarly safe and effective for treating hyperopia and hyperopic astigmatism. / 2018-01-11T00:00:00Z