Noncontact thermokeratoplasty to correct hyperopia induced by laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of noncontact holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser thermokeratoplasty (LTK) for treating hyperopia induced by laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alicante, Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, Alicante, Spain, and the University of Al-Azhar, Cairo, Egypt.


METHODS
Noncontact LTK was applied to 13 eyes (11 patients) with significant hyperopia after LASIK using a Ho:YAG laser (model gLase 210, Sunrise Technologies). Mean spherical equivalent before LTK was +4.60 diopters (D) +/- 1.40 (SD) (range +2.50 to +7.25 D). The results were evaluated 18 months after the LTK surgery.


RESULTS
A significant myopic shift developed in all eyes that gradually receded to emmetropia 6 to 8 weeks after LTK. After 12 months, refraction was relatively stable. At 18 months, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) before LTK (0.19 +/- 0.09) and mean postoperative UCVA (0.61 +/- 0.22) (P < .005). At the end of the study, there was a mean increase of 4.10 +/- 1.12 D in central keratometric power. Total regression did not occur in any eye.


CONCLUSIONS
Noncontact Ho:YAG LTK was safe and effective in correcting LASIK-induced hyperopia. The cutting of Bowman's layer and a thinner corneal center may contribute to the stability of LTK in such cases.
Ismail
M M
MM
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Alicante (Ismail Alió), Spain.
Alió
J L
JL
Pérez-Santonja
J J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014792:Visual Acuity