Laser platform yields improved outcomes for hyperopia

Sunrise, FL-Wavefront-optimized LASIK using an excimer laser (Allegretto Wave Eye-Q, Alcon Laboratories) is a highly safe and predictable procedure for treating up to +6 D of hyperopia, in the experience of Cory M. Lessner, MD.

"Still, I have been motivated to continue performing hyperopic LASIK over the years because hyperopic patients . . . are highly gratified by their functional improvement even if they don't achieve 20/20 uncorrected visual acuity [UCVA]," said Dr. Lessner, medical director and chief executive officer, Millennium Laser Eye Centers, Sunrise, FL. "Now, [this advanced excimer laser system] has set a new standard in hyperopic treatment accuracy because with its 400-Hz repetition rate and 0.95-mm flying spot scanning pattern, the platform delivers unsurpassed speed and ablation smoothness."

Even using the predecessor 200-Hz excimer laser (WaveLight Allegretto Wave, Alcon), Dr. Lessner said he achieved excellent results with hyperopic LASIK treatments according to analyses of his data. Considering cohorts treated for up to +6 D of hyperopia and up to –2.5 D of cylinder with preoperative best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better and a goal of emmetropia (excluding monovision patients), 3-month data were available for 90 eyes treated with the 200-Hz laser and a mechanical microkeratome. UCVA was 20/20 or better in 44%, 20/25 or better in 71%, and 20/40 or better in 94%.

Among 429 eyes that had flap creation with a femtosecond laser (IntraLase, Abbott Medical Optics), 3-month UCVA outcomes were 20/20 or better in 60%, 20/25 or better in 87%, and 20/40 or better in 98%.

So far, Dr. Lessner said he has 3-month follow-up data on 143 eyes using the 400-Hz excimer laser with femtosecond laser flap creation. Outcomes for this cohort showed UCVA was 20/20 or better in 70%, 20/25 or better UCVA in 92%, and 99% achieved 20/40 or better.

Dr. Lessner noted the visual acuity outcomes for his Allegretto hyperopic treatments are superior to those he has achieved using other excimer laser systems for treatment of hyperopia and are equal to or better than those reported using competitor lasers with a wavefront-guided technique. They also have given him assurance to perform hyperopic LASIK as treatment for emmetropic presbyopia, he said.

FYI

Cory M. Lessner, MD
E-mail: clessner@havelasik.com

Dr. Lessner has no financial interest in the subject matter.