Influence of tomographic and biomechanical corneal indexes on myopic refractive surgery indications: A multicenter study.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of corneal tomographic and biomechanical indexes on the refractive technique indication.

Methods: A total of 251 eyes from 251 patients interested in refractive surgery were enrolled in this cross-sectional and multicenter study. Previous to the surgeon decision, a preoperative protocol was performed by refractive optometrists, containing four sections: refraction, biometry, corneal tomography and biomechanics. The refractive surgeons made a first decision based only on refraction, biometric and tomographic information. Biomechanical indexes were revealed, and refractive surgeons made a second indication. Additionally, for Laser-Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis cases, the percent tissue altered were calculated. Possible indications were no refractive surgery, photorefractive keratectomy, Laser-Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis or intraocular Collamer lens.

Results: After the first surgery indication, the distribution was photorefractive keratectomy (47.4%), Laser-Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis (48.2%) while intraocular Collamer lens achieved 2.8%. This proportion changed significantly after the second indication regarding corneal biomechanics and photorefractive keratectomy and Laser-Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis decreased by 24% while intraocular Collamer lens increased 19%. A total of 69 eyes changed the indication (27.5%) and 182 eyes (72.5%) remained unchanged. All indications changes were from photorefractive keratectomy or Laser-Assisted in-situ Keratomileusis to intraocular Collamer lens or no surgery. Indication changes to intraocular Collamer lens were observed in 49 eyes (71%). Tomographic, biomechanical indexes, ablation depth and percent tissue altered achieved statistically significant differences between eyes without and with indication changes (all,  < .01).

Conclusion: New corneal biomechanical indexes could change the indication decision regarding biometric and tomographic data alone. Intraocular Collamer len was the preferred indication for eyes at risk of ectasia or with subclinical keratoconus due to corneal biomechanical parameters.