Equation for corneal asphericity after corneal refractive surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the exact theoretical asphericity after refractive surgery when the parabolic approximation of the Munnerlyn formula is utilized.


METHODS
From a least-square analysis and considering the conicoid model for anterior cornea, we calculated the final asphericity (p'-factor) from the preoperative asphericity and the radii before and after surgery.


RESULTS
The final p'-factor is given by p'=p(R'3/R3); R' is the final radius of curvature; R is the preoperative radius; and p is the preoperative p'-factor.


CONCLUSIONS
This equation for postoperative asphericity may be useful in studying the influence on asphericity of different surgical variables. It allows comparisons of real asphericity with the asphericity that should theoretically result. It also explains the increased spherical aberration after refractive surgery and the deterioration of retinal image quality that some authors have found experimentally.
Jiménez
José R
JR
Departamento de Optica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. jrjimene@ugr.es
Anera
Rosario G
RG
Jiménez del Barco
Luis
L
D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology*; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures