Ultrasound biomicroscopy of tangential keratotomy incision depth after penetrating keratoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the accuracy and reproducibility of using ultrasound biomicroscopy to measure corneal refractive incisions in vivo.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Austria.


METHODS
Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed in five eyes of five patients who had previous tangential keratotomy for high postkeratoplasty astigmatism. Depth of the incision scar was documented, and the measurements were compared with those obtained preoperatively by ultrasound pachymetry readings of the corneal thickness and with the settings of the diamond knife blade.


RESULTS
The measured depths reached 84.7% +/- 12.9 (SD) of corneal thickness compared with the intended 89.1 +/- 6.7% depth of incision. The relation between knife setting and achieved depth was 95.3 +/- 15.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound biomicroscopy provided high-quality images of the incision scars, accurately measuring actual incision depth in vivo. It may become a clinically useful tool for the refractive surgeon as it contributes to the predictability and accuracy of keratorefractive procedures.
Kaminski
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Austria.
Barisani-Asenbauer
T
T
Till
P
P
Hauff
W
W
Baumgartner
I
I
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008853:Microscopy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012086:Reoperation; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014945:Wound Healing