title: Holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty for astigmatism in rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty has generated considerable interest as a technique for correcting hyperopia. In this study, the effect of holmium:YAG laser on inducing astigmatism according to application patterns was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  An experimental study based on the results of astigmatic holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty using the Summit OmniMed laser system (Summit Technology Inc, Waltham, Mass) in 36 rabbit eyes is presented. We divided the rabbits into four groups: arcuate, reverse arcuate, linear, and control group according to application patterns. All rabbits were followed for 3 months and cycloplegic refractive measurements were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average surgically induced astigmatism was 1.86 diopters (D) for the arcuate group, 2.93 D for the reverse arcuate group, and 1.31 D for the linear group. No significant complications related to the operation were noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reverse arcuate pattern of holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty is most effective in inducing astigmatism in rabbits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002425:Cautery / Q000379:methods*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011817:Rabbits; D012029:Refraction, Ocular