Optimization of the Spot Spacings for Reducing Roughness in Laser-Induced Optical Breakdown Processes for Corneal Laser Vision Correction

Abstract

The aim of this work is to implement an algorithm that simulates a simplified cutting surface based on laser-induced optical breakdown (LIOB). The algorithm includes the definition of a possible positioning of the laser pulses and calculation of the roughness for different parameter settings (including LIOB threshold, pulse energies, and spot spacings) as the difference between simulated and ideal target cut (local differences within the cut, i.e., the waviness of the simulated cut vs. the homogeneity of the ideal target cut). Furthermore, optimizations of specific variables, such as spot distance (along the pathway), track distance (between lines/tracks), and pulse energy, are performed. The simulations suggest that lower pulse energies (well above the LIOB threshold) combined with asymmetric spacings (spot-to-track distance ratio >> 1) may be effective to lower the roughness of laser cuts generated by LIOB processes. The importance of lowering pulse energies (well above the threshold) emphasizes the need for the LIOB threshold to remain low (as low as possible). Reducing roughness by decreasing spacings (thus, increasing dose for same pulse energies) may have negative implications in visual recovery (risk for overdose). In all cases, the roughness is multiple times larger (rougher) than equivalent simulations for ablative procedures.