No / All forms of corneal refractive surgery can sometimes cause an increase in optical aberrations and scattered light, which can affect visual performance. The purpose of this study was to develop a suitable test that was sensitive to retinal image degradation in subjects who have undergone excimer laser refractive surgery and that was also relevant to visual demands in commercial aviation. Methods: Assessment of the visual environment and the tasks involved in piloting a commercial aircraft formed the basis for the selection of the test parameters. The new contrast acuity assessment (CAA) test covers a functional visual field of ±5° and is based on minimum spatial vision requirements for commercial pilots. Results: Data measured in 100 normal subjects were used to define the `standard normal observer' and the range of variation for the parameters of the test. This approach makes it possible to quickly establish whether a given subject's performance falls within the range of the standard normal observer. The test is also administered under low ambient illumination since flying at night involves mesopic levels of light adaptation when the pupil size is large and the effects of aberrations and scattered light are therefore more pronounced. Conclusion: The results of the test are simple to interpret and reveal visual performance that falls outside the normal range as a result of either significant degradation of retinal image quality (caused by increased aberrations and scattered light) or abnormal processing of visual information in the retina and/or the visual pathway.

Purpose: To improve the predictability, accuracy and stability of laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), by evaluating the clinical, procedural and tissue response factors that affect refractive outcomes. Methods: Myopic LASIK surgeries (n=5,978) were carried out using the Technolas planoscan and Nidek EC-5000 excimer lasers. Clinical variables associated with a refractive outcome of within ??0.50 D of the target were identified using regression analysis. Possible procedural variations such as the timing of the procedure and accuracy of both the chosen keratome and excimer laser were evaluated. The predictability and accuracy of the ablation was assessed by measuring changes in corneal thickness during and after the procedure. Factors influencing the stability of refractive outcome were assessed. Results: Clinical factors associated with a refractive outcome of within ??0.50 D of the target included; corrections less than 5.00 DS (OR 0.21x, 95% CI 0.11-0.40x compared with corrections over -5.00 DS[referent]), patients younger than 40 years (patients over 50 OR 8.27x, 95% CI 3.41-20.03x, patients 40 to 50 years OR 1.93x, 95% CI 0.96-3.90x, compared with patients under 40[referent]) and average pre-operative curvatures between 43.50 and 45.50D (OR 0.39x, 95% CI 0.18-0.83 compared with curvatures of less than 43.50D [referent]). Refractive stability was improved using optic zone sizes between 5.5-6.0 mm, reduced myopic corrections, flatter pre-operative corneal curvatures and thicker corneal flaps (R??=25%, p&lt0.001). Procedural factors associated with poorer outcomes included: thinner measured flap thickness, deeper ablations and the use of the automated corneal shaper (ACS) microkeratome with a novice surgical team (R??=34%, p &lt 0.001). Delaying the ablation from 20 to 90 seconds (s) after flap lift was associated with a more stable refractive outcome at three months (p=0.017). In the 90 s following flap lift, the cornea thinned by 5??3%. The ablation rate per scan varied between procedures, however, the effect on refractive outcome was small (r=0.15, p=0.267). Changes in central corneal thickness indicated refractive stability (p=0.039). Conclusions: Applying the optimal clinical and procedural factors as described afforded a refractive outcome in a further 8% of cases, resulting in 94% to 96% of cases within ??0.50 DS of target. Refractive predictability was limited due to the inability of the keratome to produce a consistent corneal flap thickness and unexpected changes in corneal thickness. The accuracy of refractive outcome will decrease with larger ablations. The degree of refractive inaccuracy with high refractive corrections (&gt -10.00 D) can be over 1.00 D.

Clinical wavefront-guided corneal ablation has been now the most technologically advanced method to reduce the dependence of glasses and contact lenses. It has the potential not only to eliminate spherocylindrical errors but also to reduce higher-order aberrations (HOA). Recent statistics show that more than 96% of the patients who received laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatment reported their satisfaction about the improvement on vision, six months after the surgery. However, there are still patients complaining that their vision performance did not achieve the expectation or was even worse than before surgery. The reasons causing the unexpected post-surgical outcome include undercorrection, overcorrection, induced HOA, and other postoperative diseases, most of which are caused by inaccurate ablation besides other pathological factors. Therefore, to find out the method to optimize the LASIK procedures and provide a higher surgical precision has become increasingly important. A proper method to calculate ablation profile and an effective way to control the laser beam size and shape are key aspects in this research to resolve the problem. Here in this Master of Philosophy degree thesis, the author has performed a meticulous study on the existing methods of ablation profile calculation and investigated the efficiency of wavefront only ablation by a computer simulation applying real patient data. Finally, the concept of a refractive surgery system with dynamical beam shaping function is sketched, which can theoretically overcome the disadvantages of traditional procedures with a finite laser beam size.

Overview: Optical concepts as they relate to the ophthalmologic correction of vision in corneal laser vision correction and intraocular lens design was examined. Purpose: The interaction between the excimer laser and residual corneal tissue in laser vision correction produces unwanted side effects. Understanding the origin of these artifacts can lead to better procedures. Furthermore, accommodating intraocular lenses offer a potential for eliminating presbyopia. Understanding the properties of a new accommodating intraocular lens incorporating a deformable interface may lead to advances in cataract surgery. Introduction: Corneal surface irregularities following laser refractive procedures are commonly seen. They regularly result in a patient’s decreased best corrected visual acuity and decreased contrast sensitivity. These changes are only seen in biologic tissue and the etiology has been elusive. A thermal response has been theorized and was investigated in this research. In addition, intraocular lenses using a mechanically deforming interface to change their power in order to duplicate natural accommodation have been developed. The deforming interface(s) induce optical aberrations due to irregular deformations. Design efforts have centered on minimizing these deformations. Both of the ophthalmic applications have been analyzed using finite element analysis (FEA) to understand their inherent optical properties. Methods: FEA modeling of thermal theory has been applied to verify that excimer laser induced collagen contraction creates corneal surface irregularities and central islands. A mathematical model which indicates the viability of the theory was developed. The modeling results were compared to post ablation changes in eyes utilizing an excimer (ArF 193 nm), as well as non-ablative thermal heating in eyes with a CO₂ laser. Addition modeling was performed on an Intraocular lens prototype measuring of actuation force, lens power, interface contour, optical transfer function, and visual Strehl ratio. Prototype verified mathematical models were utilized to optimize optical and mechanical design parameters to maximize the image quality and minimize the required force. Results: The predictive model shows significant irregular central buckling formation and irregular folding. The amount of collagen contraction necessary to cause significant surface changes is very small (0.3%). Uniform scanning excimer laser ablation to corneal stroma produces a significant central steepening and peripheral flattening in the central 3mm diameter. Isolated thermal load from uniform CO₂ laser irradiation without ablation also produces central corneal steepening and paracentral flattening in the central 3mm diameter. The iterative mathematical modeling based upon the intraocular lens prototype yielded maximized optical and mechanical performance through varied input mechanical and optical parameters to produce a maximized visual Strehl ratio and a minimized force requirement. Conclusions: The thermal load created by laser irradiation creates a characteristic spectrum of morphologic changes on the porcine corneal stromal surface which correlates to the temperature rise and is not seen inorganic, isotropic material. The highly similar surface changes seen with both lasers are likely indicative of temperature induced transverse collagen fibril contraction and stress re-distribution. Refractive procedures which produce significant thermal load should be cognizant of these morphological changes. The optimized intraocular lens operates within the physiologic constraints of the human eye including the force available for full accommodative amplitude using the eye’s natural focusing feedback, while maintaining image quality in the space available. Optimized optical and mechanical performance parameters were delineated as those which minimize both asphericity and actuation pressure. The methodology combines a multidisciplinary basic science approach from biomechanics, optical science, and ophthalmology to optimize an intraocular lens design suitable for preliminary trials.

Purpose: To improve the predictability, accuracy and stability of laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), by evaluating the clinical, procedural and tissue response factors that affect refractive outcomes. Methods: Myopic LASIK surgeries (n=5,978) were carried out using the Technolas planoscan and Nidek EC-5000 excimer lasers. Clinical variables associated with a refractive outcome of within ??0.50 D of the target were identified using regression analysis. Possible procedural variations such as the timing of the procedure and accuracy of both the chosen keratome and excimer laser were evaluated. The predictability and accuracy of the ablation was assessed by measuring changes in corneal thickness during and after the procedure. Factors influencing the stability of refractive outcome were assessed. Results: Clinical factors associated with a refractive outcome of within ??0.50 D of the target included; corrections less than 5.00 DS (OR 0.21x, 95% CI 0.11-0.40x compared with corrections over -5.00 DS[referent]), patients younger than 40 years (patients over 50 OR 8.27x, 95% CI 3.41-20.03x, patients 40 to 50 years OR 1.93x, 95% CI 0.96-3.90x, compared with patients under 40[referent]) and average pre-operative curvatures between 43.50 and 45.50D (OR 0.39x, 95% CI 0.18-0.83 compared with curvatures of less than 43.50D [referent]). Refractive stability was improved using optic zone sizes between 5.5-6.0 mm, reduced myopic corrections, flatter pre-operative corneal curvatures and thicker corneal flaps (R??=25%, p&lt0.001). Procedural factors associated with poorer outcomes included: thinner measured flap thickness, deeper ablations and the use of the automated corneal shaper (ACS) microkeratome with a novice surgical team (R??=34%, p &lt 0.001). Delaying the ablation from 20 to 90 seconds (s) after flap lift was associated with a more stable refractive outcome at three months (p=0.017). In the 90 s following flap lift, the cornea thinned by 5??3%. The ablation rate per scan varied between procedures, however, the effect on refractive outcome was small (r=0.15, p=0.267). Changes in central corneal thickness indicated refractive stability (p=0.039). Conclusions: Applying the optimal clinical and procedural factors as described afforded a refractive outcome in a further 8% of cases, resulting in 94% to 96% of cases within ??0.50 DS of target. Refractive predictability was limited due to the inability of the keratome to produce a consistent corneal flap thickness and unexpected changes in corneal thickness. The accuracy of refractive outcome will decrease with larger ablations. The degree of refractive inaccuracy with high refractive corrections (&gt -10.00 D) can be over 1.00 D.

Purpose: To improve the predictability, accuracy and stability of laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), by evaluating the clinical, procedural and tissue response factors that affect refractive outcomes. Methods: Myopic LASIK surgeries (n=5,978) were carried out using the Technolas planoscan and Nidek EC-5000 excimer lasers. Clinical variables associated with a refractive outcome of within ??0.50 D of the target were identified using regression analysis. Possible procedural variations such as the timing of the procedure and accuracy of both the chosen keratome and excimer laser were evaluated. The predictability and accuracy of the ablation was assessed by measuring changes in corneal thickness during and after the procedure. Factors influencing the stability of refractive outcome were assessed. Results: Clinical factors associated with a refractive outcome of within ??0.50 D of the target included; corrections less than 5.00 DS (OR 0.21x, 95% CI 0.11-0.40x compared with corrections over -5.00 DS[referent]), patients younger than 40 years (patients over 50 OR 8.27x, 95% CI 3.41-20.03x, patients 40 to 50 years OR 1.93x, 95% CI 0.96-3.90x, compared with patients under 40[referent]) and average pre-operative curvatures between 43.50 and 45.50D (OR 0.39x, 95% CI 0.18-0.83 compared with curvatures of less than 43.50D [referent]). Refractive stability was improved using optic zone sizes between 5.5-6.0 mm, reduced myopic corrections, flatter pre-operative corneal curvatures and thicker corneal flaps (R??=25%, p&lt0.001). Procedural factors associated with poorer outcomes included: thinner measured flap thickness, deeper ablations and the use of the automated corneal shaper (ACS) microkeratome with a novice surgical team (R??=34%, p &lt 0.001). Delaying the ablation from 20 to 90 seconds (s) after flap lift was associated with a more stable refractive outcome at three months (p=0.017). In the 90 s following flap lift, the cornea thinned by 5??3%. The ablation rate per scan varied between procedures, however, the effect on refractive outcome was small (r=0.15, p=0.267). Changes in central corneal thickness indicated refractive stability (p=0.039). Conclusions: Applying the optimal clinical and procedural factors as described afforded a refractive outcome in a further 8% of cases, resulting in 94% to 96% of cases within ??0.50 DS of target. Refractive predictability was limited due to the inability of the keratome to produce a consistent corneal flap thickness and unexpected changes in corneal thickness. The accuracy of refractive outcome will decrease with larger ablations. The degree of refractive inaccuracy with high refractive corrections (&gt -10.00 D) can be over 1.00 D.

Purpose: To improve the predictability, accuracy and stability of laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK), by evaluating the clinical, procedural and tissue response factors that affect refractive outcomes. Methods: Myopic LASIK surgeries (n=5,978) were carried out using the Technolas planoscan and Nidek EC-5000 excimer lasers. Clinical variables associated with a refractive outcome of within ??0.50 D of the target were identified using regression analysis. Possible procedural variations such as the timing of the procedure and accuracy of both the chosen keratome and excimer laser were evaluated. The predictability and accuracy of the ablation was assessed by measuring changes in corneal thickness during and after the procedure. Factors influencing the stability of refractive outcome were assessed. Results: Clinical factors associated with a refractive outcome of within ??0.50 D of the target included; corrections less than 5.00 DS (OR 0.21x, 95% CI 0.11-0.40x compared with corrections over -5.00 DS[referent]), patients younger than 40 years (patients over 50 OR 8.27x, 95% CI 3.41-20.03x, patients 40 to 50 years OR 1.93x, 95% CI 0.96-3.90x, compared with patients under 40[referent]) and average pre-operative curvatures between 43.50 and 45.50D (OR 0.39x, 95% CI 0.18-0.83 compared with curvatures of less than 43.50D [referent]). Refractive stability was improved using optic zone sizes between 5.5-6.0 mm, reduced myopic corrections, flatter pre-operative corneal curvatures and thicker corneal flaps (R??=25%, p&lt0.001). Procedural factors associated with poorer outcomes included: thinner measured flap thickness, deeper ablations and the use of the automated corneal shaper (ACS) microkeratome with a novice surgical team (R??=34%, p &lt 0.001). Delaying the ablation from 20 to 90 seconds (s) after flap lift was associated with a more stable refractive outcome at three months (p=0.017). In the 90 s following flap lift, the cornea thinned by 5??3%. The ablation rate per scan varied between procedures, however, the effect on refractive outcome was small (r=0.15, p=0.267). Changes in central corneal thickness indicated refractive stability (p=0.039). Conclusions: Applying the optimal clinical and procedural factors as described afforded a refractive outcome in a further 8% of cases, resulting in 94% to 96% of cases within ??0.50 DS of target. Refractive predictability was limited due to the inability of the keratome to produce a consistent corneal flap thickness and unexpected changes in corneal thickness. The accuracy of refractive outcome will decrease with larger ablations. The degree of refractive inaccuracy with high refractive corrections (&gt -10.00 D) can be over 1.00 D.

OBJETIVO: Comparar os resultados de duas técnicas cirúrgicas guiadas pela análise de frente de onda, a ceratectomia fotorrefrativa (PRK) e a ceratomileusis in situ a laser (LASIK), para correção da miopia baixa a moderada, associada ou não ao astigmatismo. LOCAL: Setor de Cirurgia Refrativa da Clínica Oftalmológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo randomizado envolvendo 70 olhos (35 pacientes) submetidos ao LASIK personalizado em um olho e PRK personalizado no olho contralateral para correção de miopia até 5 dioptrias (D) e astigmatismo até 1,5D. Avaliou-se acuidade visual não-corrigida (AVNC), melhor acuidade visual corrigida (MAVC), resultados refratométricos, aberrometria, sensibilidade ao contraste fotópico e mesópico, acuidade visual de baixo contraste (AVBC), qualidade da imagem retiniana (Função de Transferência Modular e Strehl ratio) e espalhamento intraocular de luz (EIL) no período pré-operatório e no 1o, 3o, 6o e 12o mês pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: O equivalente esférico (EE) médio pré-operatório foi -2,57 ± 0,95D no grupo LASIK e, no grupo PRK, -2,52 ± 0,90D (p = 0,722). No 12o mês pósoperatório (PO), EE foi -0,06 ± 0,33D e -0,12 ± 0,41D, respectivamente (p = 0,438). No grupo LASIK, 60,0% dos olhos apresentaram AVNC 20/16 e 96,7% 20/20, e no grupo PRK, 66,6% e 96,7%, respectivamente (p = 0,667). No período pré-operatório, o total das aberrações de alta ordem (HOAs) foi 0,37 ± 0,09 m no grupo LASIK e 0,36 ± 0,11m no grupo PRK (p = 0,752). No 12o mês PO, o total das HOAs foi 0,46 ± 0,21m no grupo LASIK e 0,42 ± 0,14m no grupo PRK (p = 0,438). Tanto o teste de sensibilidade ao contraste fotópico como o mesópico apresentaram resultados semelhantes entre as técnicas, exceto pela freqüência 1,5 ciclos por grau (cpg) do teste mesópico no 12o mês PO, a favor do grupo PRK. Os índices de qualidade da imagem retiniana mostraram comportamento similar entre as técnicas ao longo do seguimento. Não houve aumento significativo do espalhamento intraocular da luz em ambos os grupos, quatro olhos cursaram com aumento transitório. CONCLUSÃO: Dentro das condições deste estudo, ambas as técnicas apresentaram excelentes resultados refratométricos e função visual semelhante. Apesar do tratamento personalizado guiado pela análise de frentes de onda, houve indução das HOAs, de forma similar, tanto no LASIK como no PRK. / PURPOSE: To compare clinical results of two wavefront-guided treatments, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), for low to moderate myopia correction, with or without astigmatism. SETTING: Refractive Surgery Service, General Hospital, University Of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Prospective randomized study of 70 eyes (35 patients) submitted to custom LASIK and custom PRK (contralateral eye) for myopia up to 5D and astigmatism up to 1,5D. Uncorrected visual acuity (AVNC), best-corrected visual acuity (MAVC), refractive results, wavefront analysis, photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity, low contrast visual acuity (AVBC), retinal image quality (Modulation Transfer Function and Strehl ratio) and intraocular straylight (EIL) were performed preoperatively and at one, three, six and twelve months postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (EE) was -2,57 ± 0,95D in the LASIK group and -2,52 ± 0,90D in the PRK group (p = 0,722). At twelve months postoperatively (PO), the mean EE was -0,06 ± 0,33D and -0,12 ± 0,41D, respectively (p = 0,438). In the LASIK group, 60,0% had AVNC 20/16 and 96,7% 20/20, and in the PRK group, 66,6% e 96,7%, respectively (p = 0,667). The mean pre-treatment total high-order aberrations (HOAs) was 0,37 ± 0,09 m in the LASIK group and 0,36 ± 0,11m in the PRK group (p = 0,752). At twelve months PO, the mean total HOAs was 0,46 ± 0,21m in the LASIK group and 0,42 ± 0,14 m in the PRK group (p = 0,438). No significant difference in photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity between groups was noted, apart from the 1,5 cpg frequency of the mesopic test, favoring PRK, at the 12th month PO. Similar results were found for retinal image quality metrics during the follow-up. No significant increase of the intraocular straylight was found for both techniques, four eyes presented transitory elevations. CONCLUSION: In the conditions of this study, both techniques had excellent refractive results and similar visual function. In spite of the wavefront-guided treatments, HOAs were induced similarly after LASIK and PRK

OBJETIVO: Comparar os resultados de duas técnicas cirúrgicas guiadas pela análise de frente de onda, a ceratectomia fotorrefrativa (PRK) e a ceratomileusis in situ a laser (LASIK), para correção da miopia baixa a moderada, associada ou não ao astigmatismo. LOCAL: Setor de Cirurgia Refrativa da Clínica Oftalmológica do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo randomizado envolvendo 70 olhos (35 pacientes) submetidos ao LASIK personalizado em um olho e PRK personalizado no olho contralateral para correção de miopia até 5 dioptrias (D) e astigmatismo até 1,5D. Avaliou-se acuidade visual não-corrigida (AVNC), melhor acuidade visual corrigida (MAVC), resultados refratométricos, aberrometria, sensibilidade ao contraste fotópico e mesópico, acuidade visual de baixo contraste (AVBC), qualidade da imagem retiniana (Função de Transferência Modular e Strehl ratio) e espalhamento intraocular de luz (EIL) no período pré-operatório e no 1o, 3o, 6o e 12o mês pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: O equivalente esférico (EE) médio pré-operatório foi -2,57 ± 0,95D no grupo LASIK e, no grupo PRK, -2,52 ± 0,90D (p = 0,722). No 12o mês pósoperatório (PO), EE foi -0,06 ± 0,33D e -0,12 ± 0,41D, respectivamente (p = 0,438). No grupo LASIK, 60,0% dos olhos apresentaram AVNC 20/16 e 96,7% 20/20, e no grupo PRK, 66,6% e 96,7%, respectivamente (p = 0,667). No período pré-operatório, o total das aberrações de alta ordem (HOAs) foi 0,37 ± 0,09 m no grupo LASIK e 0,36 ± 0,11m no grupo PRK (p = 0,752). No 12o mês PO, o total das HOAs foi 0,46 ± 0,21m no grupo LASIK e 0,42 ± 0,14m no grupo PRK (p = 0,438). Tanto o teste de sensibilidade ao contraste fotópico como o mesópico apresentaram resultados semelhantes entre as técnicas, exceto pela freqüência 1,5 ciclos por grau (cpg) do teste mesópico no 12o mês PO, a favor do grupo PRK. Os índices de qualidade da imagem retiniana mostraram comportamento similar entre as técnicas ao longo do seguimento. Não houve aumento significativo do espalhamento intraocular da luz em ambos os grupos, quatro olhos cursaram com aumento transitório. CONCLUSÃO: Dentro das condições deste estudo, ambas as técnicas apresentaram excelentes resultados refratométricos e função visual semelhante. Apesar do tratamento personalizado guiado pela análise de frentes de onda, houve indução das HOAs, de forma similar, tanto no LASIK como no PRK. / PURPOSE: To compare clinical results of two wavefront-guided treatments, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), for low to moderate myopia correction, with or without astigmatism. SETTING: Refractive Surgery Service, General Hospital, University Of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Prospective randomized study of 70 eyes (35 patients) submitted to custom LASIK and custom PRK (contralateral eye) for myopia up to 5D and astigmatism up to 1,5D. Uncorrected visual acuity (AVNC), best-corrected visual acuity (MAVC), refractive results, wavefront analysis, photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity, low contrast visual acuity (AVBC), retinal image quality (Modulation Transfer Function and Strehl ratio) and intraocular straylight (EIL) were performed preoperatively and at one, three, six and twelve months postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (EE) was -2,57 ± 0,95D in the LASIK group and -2,52 ± 0,90D in the PRK group (p = 0,722). At twelve months postoperatively (PO), the mean EE was -0,06 ± 0,33D and -0,12 ± 0,41D, respectively (p = 0,438). In the LASIK group, 60,0% had AVNC 20/16 and 96,7% 20/20, and in the PRK group, 66,6% e 96,7%, respectively (p = 0,667). The mean pre-treatment total high-order aberrations (HOAs) was 0,37 ± 0,09 m in the LASIK group and 0,36 ± 0,11m in the PRK group (p = 0,752). At twelve months PO, the mean total HOAs was 0,46 ± 0,21m in the LASIK group and 0,42 ± 0,14 m in the PRK group (p = 0,438). No significant difference in photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity between groups was noted, apart from the 1,5 cpg frequency of the mesopic test, favoring PRK, at the 12th month PO. Similar results were found for retinal image quality metrics during the follow-up. No significant increase of the intraocular straylight was found for both techniques, four eyes presented transitory elevations. CONCLUSION: In the conditions of this study, both techniques had excellent refractive results and similar visual function. In spite of the wavefront-guided treatments, HOAs were induced similarly after LASIK and PRK

No description available.