Photorefractive keratectomy with a small spot laser and tracker.

Background: The Autonomous Technologies LADARVision excimer laser system utilizes an eye tracking mechanism and a small spot for photorefractive keratectomy.

Methods: One hundred and two eyes of 102 patients were treated for -1.50 to -6.25 D of spherical myopia at the spectacle plane using a 6-mm diameter ablation zone. One year follow-up was available for 93 eyes (91%).

Results: Uncorrected visual acuity for eyes treated for distance vision was 20/40 or better in 99% (n = 90), and 20/20 or better in 70% (n = 64) of eyes at 12 months. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 or better in all 92 eyes reported; no eye lost more than 2 lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity, and only 1 eye (1.0%) experienced a loss of 2 lines (20/12.5 to 20/20) at 1 year. The refractive result was within +/- 0.50 D of the desired correction in 75% (n = 70), and within +/- 1.00 D in 93% (n = 86) of eyes at 12 months. Refractive stability was achieved between 3 and 6 months. Corneal haze was graded as trace or less in 100% of the 93 eyes. No significant reductions were noted in contrast sensitivity or endothelial cell density.

Conclusions: Patients treated with the Autonomous Technologies LADARVision excimer laser system for -1.50 to -6.25 D of spherical myopia with 1 year follow-up had uncorrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better in 70%, no significant loss of spectacle-corrected visual acuity, no reduction of endothelial cell density or contrast sensitivity, and low levels of corneal haze.