title: Treatment of myopic astigmatism with photorefractive keratectomy using an erodible mask.
abstract: The Summit Technology erodible mask treatment of astigmatism does not alter the keratometric astigmatism significantly, even though the refractive astigmatism appears to improve by about 50%. Myopia is satisfactorily treated with the erodible mask, but there is slightly more undercorrection compared to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using an expanding diaphragm. Increasing the minus power in ordering the mask cylinder improves the myopia result, but not the keratometric astigmatism result. The following factors do not influence the keratometric astigmatism result: 1) The type of astigmatism (with-, against-the-rule, or oblique); 2) The initial keratometry readings; and 3) The time from the commencement of epithelial removal to laser treatment.
authors.affiliation: Corneal Laser Centre, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bebington, Wirral, UK.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Cherry
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Tutton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Neave
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fichte
mesh_terms: D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity