[About Journal of Refractive Surgery ] [Table of Contents]

Volume 12 (1) * January/February 1996 * New Technique (abstract)

Holmium:YAG Laser Thermokeratoplasty for Astigmatism in Rabbits

Key Hwan Lim, MD
Woo Jung Kim, MD
Won Ryang Wee, MD
Dong Eul Shin, MD
Jin Hak Lee, MD
Bong Leen Chang, MD

BACKGROUND

Holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty has generated considerable interest as a technique for correcting hyperopia. In this study, the effect of holmium:YAG laser on inducing astigmatism according to application patterns was evaluated.

METHODS

An experimental study based on the results of astigmatic holmium:YAG laser thermo-keratoplasty using the Summit OmniMed laser system (Summit Technology Inc, Waltham, Mass) in 36 rabbit eyes is presented. We divided the rabbits into four groups: arcuate, reverse arcuate, linear, and control group according to application patterns. All rabbits were followed for 3 months and cycloplegic refractive measurements were carried out.

RESULTS

The average surgically induced astigmatism was 1.86 diopters (D) for the arcuate group, 2.93 D for the reverse arcuate group, and 1.31 D for the linear group. No significant complications related to the operation were noted.

CONCLUSION

The reverse arcuate pattern of holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty is most effective in inducing astigmatism in rabbits. [J Refract Surg. 1996;12:190-193.]

AUTHORS

From the Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University (Drs Lim, Kim, Wee, Lee, and Chang), and Korea Veterans Hospital (Dr Shin), Seoul, Korea.

The authors have no proprietary interest in any research or materials presented within this article.

Presented at the 1994 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

Reprint requests should be addressed to Key Hwan Lim, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Hospital, 28 Yeongun-Dong, Chongro-Ku, Seoul 110-744, Korea.

Received: February 7, 1995

Accepted: June 27, 1995

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