3
Introduction
Refractive surgeriesare a wide variety of surgical procedures aimed at changing
the refractive status of an eye by altering the principal refractive components of
the eye.
The principal refractive components of the eye are the cornea and the lens.
The axial length of the globe (AP diameter) also contributes to the eye’s
refractive state.
4.
4
Introduction
Refractive surgeriescan be broadly classified into corneal and lenticular procedures.
Kerato-refractive surgeries (KRS) modulate the shape of the cornea to reduce
refractive error, and reduce dependency on glasses and contact lenses.
KRS include surface ablation procedures, “flap” or “cap” procedures, thermal
procedures, incisional procedures, and surgical- addition or subtraction procedures.
5.
5
Introduction
The eyeis a compound optical system.
Incident light is focused through the cornea and lens unto the
fovea.
The majority of the optical power of the eye derives from the
combined effect of the air–tear interface and the corneal
curvature.
Photocredit: Internet
6.
6
Cornea
The corneais a transparent avascular tissue, it
contributes to 2/3rd of the refractive power of the
eye.
It has five distinct layers.
There is an increase in thickness from central to the
periphery, the CCT ranges from 551-565μ and the PCT
from 612-640μ.
Photocredit: Internet
7.
7
Cornea
It isconvex and aspheric (Prolate).
It measures 11–12 mm horizontally and 9–11 mm vertically.
The anterior curvature is about 7.8 mm and posterior
curvature is about 6.5 mm.
Refractive power (about 42D)
Anterior curvature is about +48D
Posterior curvature is about -6D
Photocredit: Internet
8.
8
History
Year Ophthalmologist Procedure
1898Dr. Lans (Netherlands) Basic principles of Radial keratotomy laid up
1930 Tsutomu Sato (Japan) Pioneering work on corneal incisions
1948 Jose Barraquer
(Colombia)
First corneal reshaping surgery (freezing a flap of cornea,
reshaping it & placing it back
1960s Fyodorov et al (Russia) Radial Keratotomy
1975 Anthony Gasset et al Thermokeratoplasty
1978 Leo Bores (US) Radial keratotomy
1975-
1979
Srinavasan (USA IBM
Labs)
Excimer laser developed
9.
9
Year Ophthalmologist Procedure
1983Stephen Trokel (USA) Excimer laser modified for ophthalmic use
1988 Theo Seiler (Germany) First excimer treatment on human eye
1989 Pallikaris (Greece) &
Buratto (Italy)
Experimentation with PRK
1995 FDA approves excimer laser for PRK for myopia
1999 First excimer laser approved for LASIK
1999 Massimo Camellin (Italy) LASEK introduced
2000 FDA approves LASIK for hypermetropia
2002 Wavefront-guided LASIK approved
History
10.
10
Year Ophthalmologist Procedure
2002First Femtosecond laser flap removal approved by FDA
2003 Pallikaris (Greece) First EpiLASIK procedures performed
History
11.
11
Laser biophysics
Photoablation:Electrical energy stimulates argon to
form dimers with fluorine (excimer), producing 93nm
UV light, which produces high precision breakage of
intermolecular bonds that vaporizes and reshapes
tissue surface.
Photocredit: Internet
12.
12
Laser biophysics
Photodisruption(Femtosecond laser): Infrared light
(1,053nm) generates very localized high temperatures,
which causes rapid tissue expansion, and small cavitation
bubbles that allow tissue separation.
Photothermal (Holmium laser): Holmium:YAG laser is
absorbed by water in the cornea causing thermal
collagen shrinkage.
Photocredit: Internet
13.
13
Laser biophysics
Conventionaltreatment
Conventional is the standard laser vision correction surgery.
It corrects lower order abberations (myopia, hypermetropia, astrigmatism) using a
fixed treatment pattern.
It does not account for individual variations in eye imperfections, and cannot be
used for higher order aberrations (coma, trefoil etc).
Results can be good, but it lacks the precision of customized laser.
14.
14
Laser biophysics
Wavefront-guided treatment
This uses advanced wavefront technology to create a detailed map of each eye
and it’s unique imperfections.
This map guides the laser, and can correct higher-order aberrations, providing more
personalized treatment.
It improve visual quality and reduce glare and halos seen with conventional
treatment.
15.
15
Laser biophysics
Wavefront-optimized treatment
It combines conventional measurements with wavefront data.
It maintains the natural curvature of the cornea while correcting refractive errors.
This approach minimizes induced aberrations and provides good visual
outcomes.
It’s suitable for patients with lower-order aberrations and regular corneas
16.
16
Laser biophysics
Topography-guided treatment (Contoura® Vision)
Contoura® Vision is an FDA-approved topography-guided LASIK.
It uses detailed corneal topography maps to customize treatment.
By addressing both refractive errors and corneal irregularities, it achieves superior
visual quality.
Contoura® Vision is considered the most advanced LASIK technology in the U.S.
20
Photorefractive Keratectomy
Procedure:PRK is an outpatient surgery and takes
approximately 5-15 minutes per eye to complete.
Anesthetic drops instilled and speculum to expose cornea
Patient focuses on a target light
Corneal epithelium removed (Mechanical, Chemical, Laser)
Laser applied to bowman layer and anterior stroma for up to 30-
60secs.
CL is inserted until epithelial defect healed.
22
Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis(LASIK)
Procedure:
Topical anesthetic is instilled.
Suction ring applied (raises IOP to 60mmHg)
Flap containing epithelium, Bowman’s layer and superficial
stroma is raised, with hinge superiorly or nasally.
Excimer laser applied to stroma for up to 30-60secs.
Flap is re-positioned.
24
Laser-assisted Subepithelial
Keratectomileusis (LASEK)
A "hybrid" technique between LASIK and PRK.
Procedure:
20% Ethanol is applied for 30-40secs to cleave the epithelium at the
basement membrane.
Epithelium is rolled back as a sheet, laser is applied, epithelium is re-
positioned.
Bandage contact lens (BCL) is applied, as for PRK.
Photocredit: Internet
26
Epithelial Laser in-situkeratomileusis
(EpiLASIK)
Procedure:
An Epi-keratome is used to precisely separate a very thin
sheet of corneal epithelium.
This thin sheet is lifted to the side and the cornea is treated
as with PRK. Then the thin sheet is moved back into place
to re-adhere to the cornea.
A BCL is applied.
31
Aspect PRK LASEKEpiLASIK LASIK
Indications Myopia up to -12D
Hyperopia up to 6D
Astigmatism up to 5D
Myopia up to -12D
Hyperopia up to 6D
Astigmatism up to
5D
Myopia up to -
12D Hyperopia up
to 6D Astigmatism
up to 5D
Myopia up to -12D
Hyperopia up to 6D
Astigmatism up to
5D
Type Surface ablation Surface ablation Surface ablation Flap procedure
Procedure
Removes the
epithelial layer of
cornea
Creates a sheet of
epithelium +
replacement
Creates a flap of
epithelium +
replacement
Creates a flap
(epithelium,
Bowmans
membrane and
superficial stroma)
32.
32
Aspect PRK LASEKEpiLASIK LASIK
Recovery Time
Longer recovery
time
Faster than PRK,
Longer than
EpiLASIK & LASIK
Faster than PRK &
LASEK, Longer
than LASIK
Faster recovery
Cornea Thickness
Suitable for thin
corneas
Suitable for thin
corneas
Suitable for thin
corneas
Requires thicker
corneas
Post-op pain Most discomfort More discomfort Less discomfort Least discomfort
Risk of Haze Highest risk High risk High risk Slightly lower risk
Dry Eyes
Less impact on
tear production.
Less impact on
tear production.
Less impact on
tear production.
Causes dry eye
Sport & activities
Preferred for
contact sports
Same as PRK Same as PRK
Not suitable for
contact sports
33.
33
Aspect PRK LASEKEpiLASIK LASIK
Medication Period
Longer medication
period
Longer medication
period
Longer medication
period
Shorter
medication period
Visual Recovery
Slower visual
recovery
Similar to PRK Similar to PRK
Improvement
within a day or
two
General
complications risk
Slightly higher risk Slightly higher risk Slightly higher risk Slightly lower risk
Flap complication
risk
No risk No risk Minimal risk Highest risk
Night Vision
Potential for poor
night vision
Potential for poor
night vision
Potential for poor
night vision
Good night vision
34.
34
Small Incision LenticuleExtraction (SMILE)
The procedure involves removal of a lenticule of tissue from the
corneal stroma. It represents the newest laser refractive
procedure.
Indications: myopia up to −10.00D. Astigmatism up to 5.00D. Not
used for hypermetropia yet.
35.
35
SMILE
Method: Anintrastromal lenticule is created
using FSL. A small surface incision (2– 4mm
wide) is then created using the FSL which is
continuous with the lenticule.
The lenticule of tissue is then removed via the
surface channel through surgical
instrumentation. There is no flap.
36.
36
SMILE
Advantages:
Lesspainful than surface ablations.
Rapid visual rehabilitation,
Less dry eye and quicker recovery
from dry eye.
Compared to LASIK, allows treatment
of thinner corneas.
Disadvantages:
Unsuitable for hypermetropia
Relatively new, long- term results not
available, available data
encouraging.
37.
37
Conclusion
Keratorefractive surgeriesoffer effective and precise options for the correction of
refractive errors. From PRK to LASIK to SMILE, each technique has its unique
advantages and disadvantages, it is essential to consider individual patients
needs, anatomical characteristics, and visual goals to determine best option.
38.
38
References
J. Kanski,Clinical Ophthalmology; A systematic approach; 9th
edition; p 245-249
A.K.O. Denniston, P.I. Murray, Oxford Handbook of Ophthalmology, 4th
edition; p 946-973
American Academy of Ophthalmology Basic Clinical Science Course, Section 13:
Refractive Surgery, 2023-2024
Eyewiki
AAO.org
Sciencedirect