title: Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for presbyopia: 24-month follow-up in three eyes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For some patients, standard optical correction for presbyopia is not satisfactory. Using a specially designed mask, we developed a procedure for correcting presbyopia with excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).
  
  
  METHODS
  A mask consisting of a mobile diaphragm formed by two blunt blades was used to ablate a 10 to 17 microm deep semilunar-shaped zone immediately below the pupillary center, steepening the corneal curvature in that area. Three eyes of three presbyopic patients were treated, aiming at a near addition of +3.00 D. Follow-up time was 24 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After an initial regression of 1.00 D during the first 6 months, the presbyopic correction remained stable for the duration of the follow-up period, enabling uncorrected near vision of J3 in all three eyes. Uncorrected distance visual acuity was not altered. Contrast sensitivity (Regan) was slightly decreased only at the 11% level. Videokeratography confirmed corneal steepening in the ablated area.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The visual and refractive outcome of excimer laser PRK for presbyopia with the Aesculap-Meditec MEL 60 is promising, especially in view of the 2-year follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Science Institute of the S.Gerardo Hospital-Monza (MI) Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vinciguerra
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Nizzola
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bailo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nizzola
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ascari
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Epstein
mesh_terms: D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011305:Presbyopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity