title: Correction of hyperopia induced by photorefractive keratectomy using non-contact Ho:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of non-contact holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty in correcting hyperopia induced by photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-contact holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty was applied to 14 eyes with significant hyperopia induced by PRK. The mean spherical equivalent refraction before holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty was +4.20 +/- 1.80 diopters (D) (range, +1.75 to +6.25 D). The results were evaluated 12 months after holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No sight-threatening complications occurred. Recovery of spectacle-corrected visual acuity took from 2 to 6 weeks. The immediate significant myopic shift that developed in all eyes gradually receded over 6 to 8 weeks. All eyes were relatively stable after 9 months. At 12 months, there was no statistically significant difference (p < .005) between the mean preoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity (0.71 +/- 0.12) and the mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (0.65 +/- 0.28). At 12 months there was a mean increase of 4.60 +/- 1.20 D in central keratometric power. Total regression did not occur in any eye.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-contact holmium:YAG laser thermal keratoplasty offers a safe and effective alternative to correct PRK-induced hyperopia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Instituto Oftalmologico de Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alió
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Artola
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pérez Santonja
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012086:Reoperation; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity