Customized versus Standard Epithelium Profiles in Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy

Abstract

Transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (TransPRK) is an established surface ablation technique used to correct refractive errors. Using anterior segment optical coherence (AS-OCT), it is now possible to measure the epithelium thickness and input these data into the laser platform. In this study, we explore whether better results were obtained in this way. To this end, we retrospectively analyze the results from a low-myopia group treated with a customized epithelium thickness, as measured using AS-OCT, and compare them with the results from a group treated with an optimized standard epithelium thickness. The customized epithelium profile group contains more eyes with vision better than 20/20, and more eyes in this group gain one line of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). In conclusion, with the customized epithelium thickness, we obtain superior results using TransPRK in low-myopia corrections.

Automating Laser Vision Correction

“…This significantly reduces the total amount of time needed for treatment and diminishes the possibility corneal dehydration [27]. We are able to precisely measure the epithelium and carry out a customized epithelium treatment with the MS-39 (CSO, Florence, Italy) [28]. In order to achieve even more precise epithelium ablation than with the standard laser ablation software, which has 55µm at the center and 65µm at 8mm, we import the data of the central epithelium as well as the mean epithelium thickness at 8mm of diameter.…”