Comparison of Technolas and Allegretto Laser in Situ Keratomileusis Outcomes in Hyperopia

Purpose: To compare visual outcome measurements in LASIK for hyperopia using the Technolas and Allegretto excimer laser. Methods: In this two-center retrospective study, 50 consecutively treated hyperopic eyes that had LASIK by the Technolas were compared to 42 eyes treated with the Allegretto excimer laser. Inclusion criteria were spherical equivalent up to 4.00 diopters (D) of sycloplegic hyperopia, with minimum follow up of 12 months. Results: The mean spherical equivalent manifest refraction was +2.5 +/- 0.8 D in Technolas and 2.37 +/- 0.81 D in Allegretto preoperatively and -0.06 +/- 0.67 D and -0.03 +/- 0.41 D respectively at the last visit (p=0.317 and 0.615). The mean optical zone was 6.0 +/- 0.1mm and 6.8 +/- 0.2mm for Tecnolas and Allegretto and the required mean ablation depth was 68.8 +/- 21.5 and 58.2 +/- 16.4_, respectively (p<0.001 ve p=0.05). The regression from 1 month to last visit was +0.48 D with Technolas and +0.36 D with Allegretto. The postoperative UCVA was significantly lower in eyes treated with Tecnolas on postoperative month 1 (p=0.038). At 3, 6, 12 months and at last visit postoperatively, no significant differences were noted in UCVA between the two lasers (p>0.05). The mean preoperative BCVA was 0.92 +/- 0.15 and 0.96 +/- 0.1 respectively, and 0.94 +/- 0.1 and 0.97 +/- 0.1 postoperatively (p=0.157 and 0.201). At the postoperative last visit, the percentage of eyes with UCVA >= 20/25, accuracy of treatment within +/- 0.5 D, loss of >= 1 lines and gain of >= 1 lines BSCVA for the Technolas and Allegretto, respectively was: 55.8% vs. 69%, 69% vs. 78.7%, 11.4% vs. 4.8% and 19.2% vs. 16.7%. The safety index was 1.03 +/- 0.12 for Tecnolas and 1.01 +/- 0.05 for Allegretto (p=0.409) and efficacy index was 0.87 +/- 0.21 and 0.90 +/- 0.16, respectively (p=0.444). Conclusion: Ablation depth was greater with Technolas laser. Visual and refractive results were similar between the Technolas and Allegretto laser systems after 3 months of th procedure.