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It is a well accepted fact that smaller optical zone treatments in LASIK lead to larger numbers of patients experiencing glare, halos, and other optical anomalies, especially during low or dim light settings. This study, performed by Dr. Soloway and Dr. Maw during the last quarter of 1999 showed excellent results in the reduction and elimination of night glare symptoms in patients with pupil sizes greater than 6mm in the dark.
A total of 500 eyes were enrolled in this study. Pupil sizes ranged from 6.0 mm to 8.0 mm. Patient's pre-LASIK eyeglass prescriptions were -1.00 to -9.00 with up to 4 diopters of astigmatism. The Autonomous Technologies LADARVision scanning/tracking laser, and the Moria LSK or Chiron Hansatome keratome was used by Dr. Barrie Soloway on all patients.
Results showed that there were no patient reports of glare, halos, or starburst under dim light conditions at the 1 week or 1 month point attributable to pupil size/ablation zone mismatch. Centration of the ablations were excellent. There were isolated reports of intermittent haze from dryness, though this had resolved in all patients by the 3 month post-operative visit.
Conclusions:
Larger ablation treatment is an effective way to reduce glare due to pupil dilation in dim light Additional measurements of corneal pachymetry (thickness) and calculations are required during the pre-operative evaluation to prevent treatments that would thin the cornea beyond its safety point The surgeon's ability to produce a large, pupil-centered ablation area (flap) with the microkeratome is crucial to being able to treat these patients The Autonomous LADARVision laser is able to treat the largest optical zone available in the United States The Moria LSK one microkeratome reliably produced the largest, best-centered flaps
As the Director of Alcon Autonomous' LADARVision Center of Education in LASIK at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, Dr. Soloway was the first surgeon in the world to use this laser to treat large optical zones. Results of this landmark study have been accepted for presentation and publication by:
American College of Eye Surgeons, Buena Vista, FL, March 2000 Canadian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Toronto, Canada, April, 2000 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Boston, MA, May, 2000 American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dallas, TX October 2000
Click here to read about large zone treatments as printed in newspapers throughout the United States in February, 2000
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