Transverse keratotomy followed by LASIK for the treatment of naturally occurring astigmatism.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of transverse keratotomy followed by LASIK for patients with high amounts of naturally occurring astigmatism.


METHODS
Thirteen eyes with naturally occurring astigmatism ranging from -3.75 to -6.50 diopters (D) underwent sequential transverse keratotomy (60 degrees at 6 mm) and LASIK procedures. The effect of these two procedures on the amount of astigmatism was studied.


RESULTS
Transverse keratotomy led to a 46% reduction in refractive cylinder from -5.50 +/- 0.80 D to -3.00 +/- 1.00 D. After LASIK, the initial refractive astigmatism was reduced by 90% to -0.50 +/- 0.50 D with a minimum follow-up of 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined technique of transverse keratotomy followed by LASIK is an effective and accurate way to treat high amounts of naturally occurring astigmatism, allowing the size of the optical zone of the excimer laser ablation to be maximized.
Haq
Faisal E
FE
Key-Whitman Eye Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Speaker
Mark G
MG
Nilforoushan
Mohammad Reza
MR
Tullo
William
W
Morschauser
Dana
D
D001251:Astigmatism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000379:methods*; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome