Fine tuning of the default depth and rate of ablation of the epithelium in customized trans-epithelial one-step superficial refractive excimer laser ablation

PURPOSE: To fine tune the default depth and rate of ablation of the epithelium in cTen™ customized trans-epithelial one-step superficial refractive surgery by the comparison between the attempted post-operative ideal corneal shape and the achieved corneal shape. METHODS: 88 consecutive eyes in 64 patients undergoing trans-epithelial superficial excimer ablation using the iVis laser Suite for either myopic/astigmatic or hyperopic/astigmatic refractive error. Each patient had at least 3 months of post-operative follow-up. Topographic examination of all eyes was carried out pre-operatively and at least 3 months post-operatively using the Precisio™ surgical topographer. The comparison of these two measurements yielded values for depth, volumes and rates of ablated corneal tissue. By determining the different ablation rates of stroma and epithelium, a refinement of the depth of epithelium to be removed and a refinement of the stromal ablation were calculated. The mathematical model was applied on each one of the 88 clinical cases and the parameters for the fine tuning of the default depth and rate of ablation of the epithelium were determined using the least squares method. RESULTS: The calculated pure stromal ablation rate was less than the average epithelium/stroma ablation rate used in planning the treatments by a factor of 0.96. The epithelial thickness predefined ablation assumption used to plan removal of the epithelium was adjusted considering the measured ablation and a radial adjustment function established for the fine tuning of the laser radial efficiency and allowing for the normal thickening of the epithelium in the peripheral cornea. From a clinical point of view, this methodology produces an improvement of the efficacy and a reduction of the variance of the clinical results. CONCLUSION: Comparison of accurately measured pre and postoperative topographies yields accurately established ablation rates of stroma and epithelium in trans-epithelial one step superficial ablation.