Holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty to correct hyperopia: two years follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
Treatment of hyperopia is more of a challenge than PRK but the development of the holmium:YAG laser has provided a more controlled way of carrying out laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK).


METHODS
Twenty two eyes with hyperopia were treated with a Summit Technology OmniMed holmium laser by placing two rings of eight laser spots at 6.5 and 9 mm (centred on the visual axis) to produce a 4.00 diopters (D) correction.


RESULTS
An average +2.10 D refractive correction was achieved in the 17 eyes with no induced astigmatism with an accuracy of 25% within 1.00 D, 60% within 2.00 D and 100% within 3.00 D. However, significant astigmatism (+1.25 to +2.5 Dcyl) was produced in 23% of eyes from 6 months post-laser and these required astigmatic LTK correction.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall results were disappointing in that there was an approximate 50% regression at two years post-LTK. However, the rate of regression was very slow at 24 months, and most patients remarked how well they could see in the first few months following the treatment.
Tutton
M K
MK
Corneal Laser Centre, Clatterbridge Hospital, Bromborough, Merseyside, United Kingdom.
Cherry
P M
PM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005139:Eyeglasses; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006695:Holmium; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012008:Recurrence; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity; D015019:Yttrium
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D015019:Yttrium; D006695:Holmium