• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1995 no.05
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• pp.95-100
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• 1995

This study investigated the effects of mechanical factors involved in several corneal refractive surgeries on the surgical outcomes. Then we proposed possible new techniques from the mechanical point of a view utilizing finite element method. The models studied are: circumferential keratetomy, combination of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy and circumferential keratotomy for myopia treatment, arcuate keratotomy for astigmatism treatment. The cornea was assumed to be nonlinear elastic and almost incompressible material as the most soft tissue in the human body. In the circumferential keratotomy the effect of the incision location was investigated. The angle and location of the incision were varied to predict the surgical outcomes in the arcuate keratotomy. The finite element analysis results showed that the location of incision was a critical factor affecting the surgical outcomes in the circumferential keratotomy. In the combination of the excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy and circumferential keratotomy, it was predicted that the circumferential can increase or decrease the refractive power depending on the incision location or it can be used to adjust the overcorrection of undercorrection. In the arcuate keratotomy for astigmatism, the most diopter changes were predicted when the location and the angle of the incision were 3.0mm from the apex and $90^{\circ}$, respectively. In the arcuate keratotomy, the effects of an incision were studied within the incision area as well as outside the incision area. Also, the arcuate keratotomy with two incisions located on the opposite area of the cornea was also studied. As a conclusion, the finite element method is a useful technique in the area of corneal refractive surgeries to develop new techinques.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2000

Purpose: To compare the efficacy, predictability, stability and safety of excimer laser photorefracive keratectomy(PRK) for myopia and photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy(PARK) for compound myopic astigmatism. Methods: Two-hundred and three eyes(l18 eyes < -7D spherical equivalent, 85 eyes ${\geq}$ -7D spherical equivalent) received excimer laser correction for compound myopic astigmatism and 152 eyes(116 eyes < -7D, 36 eyes ${\geq}$ -7D) for simple myopia. A VISX 20/20B $VisionKey^{TM}$ excimer laser was used to perform either PARK or PRK. Visual acuity with and without correction, refraction, IOP, corneal haze, and topography were evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. All patients were followed up for more than 12 months. Results: Postoperative refraction were generally stable after 3 months without significant early overcorrection. At 12 months, 110(94.8%) eyes that underwent PRK and 104(88.1%) eyes that underwent PARK achieved UCVA of 20/30 or better in the group who had lower than -7D correction. For eyes treated with -7D or more, these figures were 31(86.1%) eyes after PRK and 57(67.1%) eyes after PARK. The incidences of within 1D of plano refraction at 1 year follow-up were 97.4% after PRK and 93.2% after PARK in the group who had lower than -7D correction. For eyes treated with -7D or more, these figures were 80.6% after PRK and 70.6% after PARK. Conclusions Myopia with or without astigmatism was successfully treated in most of the eyes using PRK or PARK with VISX 20/20B $VisionKey^{TM}$ excimer laser. The predictability and stability of the postoperative refraction during the first 12 months seem to be quite reliable. Further improvement of excimer laser system and software should increase the clinical outcomes and safety of refractive procedures.