title: Centered vs. inferior off-center ablation to correct hyperopia and presbyopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe a new technique of inferior off-center ablation with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) to correct both hyperopia and presbyopia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective clinical study was based on the empirical results obtained with LASIK in 16 hyperopic eyes of 8 patients. All patients had a centered ablation in one eye and an inferior decentered ablation in the other eye. A Schwind excimer laser was used and a planned inferior off-center ablation of 1 mm was performed. Maximum follow-up was 22 months (8 eyes).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with hyperopia that underwent inferior decentered ablation were able to read for a prolonged period of time, compared with eyes that had conventional centered excimer laser ablation. Patients with steepened corneas in the inferior and eccentric zone ended up not only with better distance but also better near vision. No loss of spectacle-corrected visual acuity in any eye has been observed to date.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Planned inferior off-center ablation to correct hyperopia and presbyopia achieved better distance and near visual acuity than centered ablation. As with centered ablation, no significant regression of effect occurred with off-center ablation; reading near vision was better and more stable with inferior off-center ablation.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Hospital Israelita, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bauerberg
mesh_terms: D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011305:Presbyopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity