Purpose:
To determine the feasibility, efficacy, and reproducibility of arcuate keratotomies performed using the IntraLase femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics) in cataract patients with moderate degree of keratometric astigmatism.
Methods:
Fourty eyes of 38 patients with age-related nuclear cataract (mean age 69.2 +/- 6.9 years; mean spherical equivalent refraction -1.66 ± 2.50 diopters [D]) who presented with moderate degree of corneal astigmatism (3.12±1.71 D) were enrolled. Paired 90 degree angled incisions were performed prior to small incision cataract surgery using the IntraLase femtosecond laser. The incision depth was at 90% stromal thickness. Angular lengths and position of the cuts were determined by analyzing the locations and extents of the steepest meridians in the topographic map. Main outcome measurements included changes in uncorrected and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (UDVA, DCVA), mean subjective and keratometric astigmatism. Patients were reevaluated 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively.
Results:
Mean UDVA and DCVA (logMAR) improved from preoperative values of 0.85±0.17and 0.29±0.21 to 0.43±0.13 and 0.12±0.15 at 6 months, respectively. Mean keratometric astigmatism decreased from 1.42±2.9 D to 0.7±1.96 D, whereas the mean refractive value decreased by 1.31 D. Postoperative complications included transient keratitis in 2 eyes.
Conclusions:
Arcuate keratotomies performed using the IntraLase femtosecond laser demonstrated to be a safe and effective treatment modality in reduction of preoperative corneal astigmatism in patients undergoing cataract surgery.
Keywords: refractive surgery: optical quality • astigmatism • refractive surgery: other technologies