Wavefront-optimized excimer laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia and myopic astigmatism: Refractive outcomes and corneal densitometry

PURPOSE: To determine the refractive outcomes of wavefront-optimized laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatments, in particular to measure corneal densitometry after LASIK using the densitometry function of the Pentacam Scheimpflug system. SETTING: Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Cohort study. METHODS: Changes in postoperative visual acuity, refraction, and contrast sensitivity were evaluated after wavefront-optimized laser treatment. Corneal densitometry was evaluated with the Scheimpflug system before and after LASIK. RESULTS: One year postoperatively, the uncorrected distance visual acuity was 6/6 or better in 92% of eyes and 6/9 or better in all eyes. Eighty-six percent of eyes had no change in the corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA); 4% gained 1 or more lines. Wavefront-optimized LASIK was stable over 1 year postoperatively. Eighty-nine percent of eyes were within +/- 0.50 diopter (D) and 100% were within +/- 1.00 D of the intended correction 1 year postoperatively. Contrast sensitivity showed a nonsignificant improvement (1.55 +/- 0.10 [SD] preoperatively to 1.57 +/- 0.09 12 months postoperatively) (P > .05). There was a nonsignificant increase in corneal densitometry 1 year postoperatively (from 12.72 +/- 2.43 to 13.04 +/- 2.58) (P > .05). No correlation was found between corneal densitometry and contrast sensitivity or CDVA. CONCLUSIONS: Wavefront-optimized LASIK gave excellent refractive and visual outcomes and did not seem to affect corneal densitometry significantly 1 year postoperatively. However, larger studies may show a masked effect on corneal densitometry. Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. J Cataract Refract Surg 2012; 38:2131-2138 (C) 2012 ASCRS and ESCRS