Spectral OCT with speckle contrast reduction for evaluation of the healing process after PRK and transepithelial PRK.

Bartlomiej J Kaluzny,Maciej Szkulmowski,Maciej Wojtkowski,Danuta M Bukowska

doi:10.1364/boe.5.001089

Abstract

We evaluate Spectral OCT (SOCT) with a speckle contrast reduction technique using resonant scanner for assessment of corneal surface changes after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and we compare healing process between conventional PRK and transepithelial PRK. The measurements were performed before and after the surgery. Obtained results show that SOCT with a resonant scanner speckle contrast reduction is capable of providing information regarding the healing process after PRK. The main difference between the healing processes of PRK and TransPRK, assessed by SOCT, was the time to cover the stroma with epithelium, which was shorter in the TransPRK group.

Highlights

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser eye surgery procedure intended to correct refractive error of the human eye reducing dependency on glasses or contact lenses
We evaluate Spectral OCT (SOCT) with a speckle contrast reduction technique using resonant scanner for assessment of corneal surface changes after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and we compare healing process between conventional PRK and transepithelial PRK
Obtained results show that SOCT with a resonant scanner speckle contrast reduction is capable of providing information regarding the healing process after PRK

Summary

Introduction

Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser eye surgery procedure intended to correct refractive error of the human eye reducing dependency on glasses or contact lenses. In 2003, Camellin proposed a new alcohol-assisted technique called laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratectomy (LASEK), which enabled preservation of the epithelium as a flap and reapplying it to the ocular surface after treatment [3] Another method that uses an epithelial flap, separated with a microkeratome with a blunt oscillating blade, is called epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis (Epi-LASIK) and was introduced almost simultaneously [4]. Another alternative is transepithelial PRK, where epithelial removal is carried out with laser phototherapeutic (PTK) ablation, followed by a laser refractive ablation of the stroma. The procedure has several advantages, but the main disadvantage is higher total energy load delivered by the excimer laser; its influence on the healing process of the cornea is unclear

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion