title: Regression of effect following radial thermokeratoplasty in humans.
abstract: Radial thermokeratoplasty is a new refractive surgical technique designed to reduce hyperopia and/or astigmatism. Four patients underwent this surgery between February and March 1988 and were monitored postoperatively for the refractive effect and evidence of endothelial cell damage. Immediately following surgery, all eyes were overcorrected, but with time regression of the effect occurred. By 10 to 12 months postoperatively, only 18% of the desired effect remained. No decrease in the central endothelial cell density occurred during this time. Further investigation into the predictability and stability of results is needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of this technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla 92093.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frucht-Pery
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chayet
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000601:surgery*; D002452:Cell Count; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology