title: Stability of the posterior corneal surface after laser surface ablation for myopia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the posterior corneal surface before and after laser surface ablation using the Pentacam.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty consecutive myopic eyes having laser surface ablation (14 photorefractive keratectomies, 16 laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomies) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with the Pentacam. Changes in the posterior corneal curvature, posterior elevation, and anterior chamber depth were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 30 eyes had a mean correction of -4.50 D (range, -2.12 to -8.0) and a mean ablation depth of 58.4 microm (range, 21-106 microm). The change in mean posterior corneal curvature was -0.02 +/- 0.07 mm in the central 4-mm zone (P = 0.106) and the mean posterior displacement was 0.47 +/- 4.23 microm (P = 0.551). The mean change in the anterior chamber depth was -0.06 +/- 0.08 mm (P < 0.001). The amount of forward shift of the posterior corneal surface had no correlation with the residual corneal thickness and ablation depth.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no significant change in the posterior corneal surface after laser surface ablation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jong Woon
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sun Woong
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult