Stability of the posterior corneal surface after laser surface ablation for myopia.
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.
Sun
Hae Jung
HJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
Park
Jong Woon
JW
Kim
Sun Woong
SW
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