title: New test hemisphere for evaluation and development of ablation profiles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and apply a new evaluation device for testing excimer laser ablation that allows a three-dimensional test of the characteristics of the imparted ablation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A specially designed PMMA hemisphere with a 43.00-D curvature was developed, and results obtained with different algorithms and profiles of curvature with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser were evaluated. Topography, OPD-scan, wavefront, and keratoscopy were performed before and after ablation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The test hemisphere proved to be a reliable tool, allowing repeatable ablation results, precise calibration results, as well as experimental evaluation and comparison of new profiles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new PMMA hemisphere can be used to improve the understanding of commonly used ablation algorithms and profiles, as well as in the daily safety routine and the experimental development and evaluation of advanced treatment solutions in excimer laser refractive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Milan, Italy. paolo.vinciguerra@humanitas.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vinciguerra
authors.forename: Fabrizio I
authors.initials: FI
authors.lastname: Camesasca
authors.forename: Maria Ingrid Torres
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Munoz
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001843:Bone Cements; D002138:Calibration; D019781:Corneal Topography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D001843:Bone Cements; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate