title: Comparison of LASIK outcomes with the Alcon LADARVision4000 and the VISX STAR S2 excimer lasers using optimized nomograms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the difference in clinical outcomes between LASIK patients treated with the Alcon LADARVision4000 laser and the VISX STAR S2 laser using optimized nomograms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 572 LASIK surgeries of two groups that were sequentially performed by one surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. The first group of 286 eyes were the last cases performed with the VISX STAR S2 laser. Following these surgeries, a second group of 286 eyes were the first cases performed with the Alcon LADARVision4000 laser, after an initial 50-eye adaptation period. Treatments were guided by the Refractive Surgery Consultant software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For myopic eyes 3 months postoperatively, the percentage of eyes with uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) > or = 20/20, accuracy of treatment within +/- 0.5 D, and loss of > or = 2 lines of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) for the LADARVision4000 and STAR S2, respectively was: 89% vs 63%, 84% vs 80%, and 0.8% vs 3.8%. For hyperopic eyes 3 months postoperatively, the percentage of eyes with UCVA > or = 20/20, accuracy of treatment within +/- 0.5 D, and loss of > or = 2 lines of BSCVA for the LADARVision4000 and STAR S2, respectively was: 74% vs 33%, 69% vs 74%, and 2% vs 18.5%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although good results are evident for both platforms, superior results were observed with the Alcon LADARVision4000 laser.
authors.affiliation: The Center for LASIK, Margate, FL, USA. gailitis@bellsouth.net
authors.forename: Raymond P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gailitis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D049451:Nomograms; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity