Clinical Outcomes After Topography-Guided Refractive Surgery in Eyes with Myopia and Astigmatism – Comparing Results with New Planning Software to Those Obtained Using the Manifest Refraction

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes from topography-guided laser refractive surgery based on new planning software to outcomes based on using the manifest refraction. DESIGN: Single site, two-arm, retrospective chart review. METHODS: Clinical outcomes at a single site after topography-guided LASIK using the Wavelight excimer laser were evaluated, with a target postoperative follow-up time of 90 days. Eligible eyes were those that received on-label topography-guided treatment of myopia or myopic astigmatism with correction based on either the manifest refraction or results from the Phorcides Analytical Engine (PAE). Measures analyzed included the uncorrected (UDVA) and best-corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity, the magnitude of refractive cylinder after surgery, the refractive error and changes from preoperative CDVA. RESULTS: The study included 115 eyes in the PAE group and 133 eyes in the Manifest group. Significantly more eyes in the PAE group had a CDVA of 20/15 or better (p = 0.05) and a UDVA of 20/15 or better (p = 0.05). Significantly more eyes in the Manifest group had a UDVA of 20/25 or worse (13/133 vs 1/115 in the PAE group, p = 0.002). There were significantly more eyes in the PAE group with no postoperative refractive cylinder (90% vs 77% in the Manifest group, p = 0.004). No eye in either group had a postoperative CDVA a line or worse than their preoperative CDVA. Three eyes in the Manifest group and no PAE eyes have had subsequent enhancement surgery. CONCLUSION: Mean results for postoperative refractive astigmatism, CDVA and UDVA were similar between the groups, but the clinical outcomes for the PAE group appeared less variable, with more eyes having no refractive astigmatism and a higher percentage of eyes having 20/15 or better CDVA and UCVA. The objective nature of the PAE is an advantage.