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Long-term outcomes of intrastromal femtosecond laser presbyopia correction: 3-year results
  1. Bettina C Thomas,
  2. Anna Fitting,
  3. Ramin Khoramnia,
  4. Tanja M Rabsilber,
  5. Gerd U Auffarth,
  6. Mike P Holzer
  1. International Vision Correction Research Centre (IVCRC) and David J Apple International Laboratory of Ophthalmic Pathology, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
  1. Correspondence to Prof Dr Mike P Holzer, FEBO Department of Ophthalmology, International Vision Correction Research Centre (IVCRC), University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, Heidelberg 69120, Germany; mike.holzer{at}med.uni-heidelberg.de

Abstract

Background/aims To analyse visual outcomes and corneal changes 3 years after intrastromal femtosecond laser presbyopia treatment.

Methods In a prospective, unicentric clinical trial, 25 presbyopic patients received INTRACOR treatment (Technolas femtosecond laser) on their non-dominant eye. Examinations were performed preoperatively as well as 1, 24 and 36 months postoperatively and included refraction, near, intermediate and distance visual acuity tests, reading speed, corneal topography, stray light measurement, endothelial cell count and slit-lamp examination.

Results Comparison of preoperative versus 36 months postoperative values showed in median an improvement of uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA) from 0.70 logMAR to 0.10 logMAR (p<0.001). Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was reduced from −0.10 logMAR to 0.00 logMAR (p<0.001). The spherical equivalent preoperatively was 0.625 D and after an initial myopic shift after 1 month (0.125 D) and 24 months (0.25 D), the 36 months value (0.50 D) returned to resemble the preoperative value in statistical terms (p=0.123). A significant corneal steepening of 1.50 D in the treated area was measured. Pachymetry (thinnest point) revealed a statistically significant, but clinically insignificant corneal thickening from 535 to 549 µm (p=0.033). Endothelial cell count did not change. 92.86% of patients felt comfortable with the surgery result.

Conclusion INTRACOR treatment after 36 months improved UNVA to varying degrees. The effect can be explained by a corneal steepening. An initial myopic shift was reversible. Reductions especially in CDVA have to be taken into account and therefore careful patient selection and information is obligatory.

Trial registration number NCT01164358 and NCT01025050, Results

  • Cornea
  • Treatment Lasers
  • Optics and Refraction

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Footnotes

  • Contributors Design of the study: MPH. Conduct of the study: BCT, AF, RK, TMR and MPH. Collection of data: BCT, AF, RK, TMR and MPH. Management, analysis, interpretation of the data: BCT, AF, GUA and MPH. Preparation of the manuscript: BCT, AF. Critical review of the manuscript and approval: AF, RK, TMR, GUA and MPH. Final approval of the manuscript: MPH.

  • Competing interests International Vision Correction Research Centre has received research grants, lecture fees, travel reimbursement and consulting fees from Technolas Perfect Vision/Bausch+Lomb, Munich, Germany.

  • Patient consent Obtained.

  • Ethics approval The study protocol was performed in accordance with the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the ethics committee of the medical faculty of the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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