LADAR 6000: good but time consuming

Although the LADAR 6000 (Alcon) is accurate and safe, the need for pharmacological mydriasis and the use of a nomogram result in a more time consuming surgical procedure, according to Joaquim Murta and colleagues from Coimbra University, Portugal.

A total of 300 consecutive eyes underwent refractive surgery with the LADAR 6000. Of those, 245 were submitted to photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) to correct a manifest spheroequivalent refractive error (MSRE) of -5.5+4.3 D, with a cylinder ranging from -4.50 to +3.50 D. Fifty-five eyes were submitted to LASIK using the Zyoptix XP microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb) to correct MSRE of -0.75 to -9.29 with a cylinder ranging from 0.00 to -5.50 D.

Following PRK, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.9, best spectacle corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was 1.0 and MSRE was 0.00. The eyes which underwent LASIK reached a UCVA of 0.7, a BSCVA of 0.9 and a MSRE of 0.4. Just one eye lost two lines of BSCVA due to adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.

Dr Murta concluded that the LADAR 6000 offers good results but is a time consuming procedure.