Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Epi–K epithelial dissector by Moria used with the ALLEGRETTO Eye–Q excimer laser system in epi–LASIK for myopia and myopic astigmatism.Methods: Twenty five consecutive LASIK cases for Myopia with or without astigmatism treated with epi–LASIK were prospectively evaluated up to 12 months post operatively. The mean pre–operative sphere was –3.08 (SD+/– 1.56) D with a range of –0.25 to –6.00 D. The mean preoperative cylinder was –0.80 (SD+/– 1.01 D) (range 0 to –4.00). ). Epithelial Flaps were created with the Moria epi–K (Moria SE, Antony, France) microkeratome. Parameters evaluated were pre and post–operative refractive error, UCVA, BSCVA, time to epithelial healing, post–operative discomfort, higher order aberration change and contrast sensitivity. Results: All twenty five eyes were available for follow up at 12 months. Mean uncorrected visual acuity improved from preoperative of 20/200 (SD+/–0.23) to 20/23 (SD+/– 0.173) 89% of eyes were within +/– 0.50 D of refractive goal respectively. None of the eyes lost more than 2 lines of BSCVA. Epithelium stabilized in average at day 5 (+/– 1). Discomfort was graded +2.5 on a 1–5 scale There was an average increase in higher order aberrations (RMSH) by 36%. Conclusions: Epi–LASIK with the epi–K microkeratome apperas to be a safe and effective refractive surgery alternative for moderate myopes.
Keywords: refractive surgery: other technologies • myopia • astigmatism