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Biomedical subjects

R R Krueger

Publications and source records attributed to R R Krueger.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Corneal iron line associated with steep central islands after photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To report a new corneal iron deposit after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: Two patients with symptomatic persistent steep central islands were noted to have a corneal iron ring at 6 months to 1 year after surgery. This is different from the central iron spot noted in most patients at 1 year. RESULTS: One patient had repeated PRK with improvement of his symptoms and resolution of the iron ring. CONCLUSIONS: A corneal iron ring after excimer laser PRK suggests the presence of a persistent steep central island of stromal origin. Since corneal iron deposition signifies chronicity, symptomatic patients should be retreated as resolution of the steep central island is not likely to occur.

Adult↗

The picosecond laser for nonmechanical laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To introduce the clinical use of the Nd:YLF picosecond laser as a nonmechanical microkeratome. METHODS: A commercially available Nd:YLF picosecond laser (25 microJ/pulse, 30 psec, 1053 nm) was used to deliver intrastromal pulses of focused high power laser light to generate a flap for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and perform picosecond laser keratomileusis (PLK) in two partially sighted patients with high myopia. RESULTS: Case #1: A 6 mm, 150 microns flap for LASIK was successfully created and the underlying stroma treated with an excimer laser for a target correction of -15.00 D of myopia. Good corneal clarity and a refractive change of -14.00 D was recorded 2 months postoperatively. Case #2: Both eyes of a high myope (-22.00 D right eye, -21.50 D left eye) underwent picosecond laser keratomileusis, removing a 3.2 mm diameter lenticule of 120 microns thickness under a 200 microns flap. Postoperative refraction was -2.00 D at 7 months in the right eye and -0.75 D at 2 months in the left eye with improvement of spectacle-corrected visual acuity from 20/200 to 20/70 in each eye. CONCLUSION: The Nd:YLF picosecond laser can be safely used in creating a corneal flap for LASIK and in performing picosecond laser keratomileusis for high myopia. Future refinements in the laser will include a larger flap diameter and femtosecond pulsing capability.

Corneal Stroma↗

Lamellar refractive surgery with scanned intrastromal picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses in animal eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of scanned intrastromal picosecond and femtosecond laser pulses in lamellar refractive surgical procedures. METHODS: Intrastromal corneal photodisruption was performed in fresh porcine and primate cadaver eyes with a solid-state femtosecond laser. Laser pulses were focused 150 to 200 microns below the epithelial surface and scanned in a spiral pattern to create a plane. A flap was made by scanning an arc pattern from the plane of the spiral to the surface of the cornea. Tissue plane separation was graded using a standard scale, while internal surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Comparison was made to a picosecond laser system using the same delivery system device. Creation of a stromal lenticule for in situ keratomileusis was also demonstrated and compared with both laser systems. RESULTS: For femtosecond pulses, tissue separation was achieved best with pulse energies from 4 to 8 microJ and spot separations from 10-15 microns. Picosecond pulses accomplished less complete separations with pulse energies of 25 microJ and spot separations from 10 to 20 microns. Surface quality corresponded to dissection results, with high-grade dissections resulting in a smooth surface appearance, versus a more irregular surface for low-grade dissections. Although high-grade dissections could be created with picosecond pulses (with optimal parameters) in ex vivo porcine eyes, only femtosecond parameters produced similar results in ex vivo primate eyes. CONCLUSION: In contrast to previous attempts using picosecond lasers which require additional mechanical dissection, high precision lamellar refractive surgery may be practical with femtosecond laser pulses.

Animals↗

Surgically-induced astigmatism after laser in situ keratomileusis for spherical myopia.

PURPOSE: To characterize the surgically-induced-astigmatism (SIA) associated with spherical LASIK. METHODS: Refractive outcomes in 70 eyes that underwent primary myopic LASIK with purely spherical ablation were analyzed. The Summit Apex Plus excimer laser was used. The Bausch & Lomb Hansatome with the 180-microm plate was used to produce superiorly hinged flaps. The relationship between refractive astigmatism and corneal topographic astigmatism was analyzed using linear regression and vector analysis. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant negative correlation (slope = -0.21) between refractive surgically-induced astigmatism and preoperative topographic cylinder. A 0.24-D with-the-rule shift was also found. Surgically-induced astigmatism was not correlated with the magnitude of laser ablation. CONCLUSION: The lamellar keratotomy portion of LASIK reduces pre-existing corneal astigmatism and produces a relative steepening of the hinge meridian.

Adult↗

Photorefractive keratectomy for astigmatism with the Meditec MEL 60 laser.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in eyes treated with astigmatic refractive errors. METHODS: Nine hundred forty eyes were treated with the Aesculap Meditec MEL 60 ArF excimer laser. Treatment groups were: Group 1 (n=746) eyes with compound myopic astigmatism, Group 2 (n=104) eyes with compound hyperopic astigmatism, Group 3 (n=75) eyes treated for mixed astigmatism, and Group 4 (n=15) eyes with simple myopic astigmatism (negative cylinder). RESULTS: In Group 1, the preoperative spherical equivalent refraction of -6.10 D with an average of -1.50 D cylinder decreased to -0.95 D with -0.13 D cylinder; uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/40 or better was achieved in 86% (642/746 eyes); 20/20 or better in 58% (433/746 eyes); 0.8% (6/746 eyes) lost two lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity (SCVA); 74% (552/746 eyes) were within +/-0.50 D and 93% (694/746 eyes) were within +/-1.00 D of target refraction. In Group 2, preoperative mean +4.57 D spherical equivalent refraction with an average of +1.57 D cylinder decreased to +1.13 D with +0.38 D cylinder; UCVA of 20/40 or better was achieved in 84% (87/104 eyes); 20/20 or better in 46% (48/104 eyes); 14,4% (15/104 eyes) lost two or more lines of SCVA; 52% (54/104 eyes) were within +/-0.50 D and 82% (85/104 eyes) were within +/-1.00 D of target refraction. In Group 3, mean preoperative -4.20 D cylinder and +3.00 D spherical equivalent refraction decreased to -0.50 D cylinder and -0.50 D spherical equivalent refraction; UCVA of 20/40 or better was achieved in 83% (62/75 eyes); 20/20 or better in 32% (24/75 eyes); 13.3% (10/75 eyes) lost two or more lines of SCVA. In Group 4, mean preoperative -3.98 D cylinder decreased to -0.62 D cylinder; UCVA of 20/40 or better was achieved in 60% (9/15 eyes); none of the eyes achieved 20/20 or better; SCVA remained stable in 6.6% (1/15 eyes) and decreased two or more lines in 20.0% (3/15 eyes); 20% (3/15 eyes) were within +/-0.50 D and 53.3% (8/15 eyes) were within +/-1.00 D of target refraction. CONCLUSION: PRK with the Meditec MEL 60 laser produced the best results in eyes with compound myopic astigmatism (Group 1). In all other groups, results were less predictable.

Adult↗

Photorefractive keratectomy for hyperopia in 800 eyes with the Meditec MEL 60 laser.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the refractive results of 800 hyperopic eyes undergoing PRK treatment. METHODS: Eight hundred hyperopic eyes were treated with PRK. An Aesculap-Meditec MEL 60 scanning ArF excimer laser used. Treatment Group 1 consisted of eyes with a preoperative refractive error of +3.50 D or less (n = 482) and Group 2, of +3.75 D or more (n = 318). RESULTS: Preoperatively, Group 1 required an average correction of +2.88+/-1.34 D and Group 2 required +5.64+/-2.96 D. One year after PRK, average residual correction was +1.26+/-1.24 D in Group 1, and in Group 2, +2.46+/-1.84 D. In Group 1, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/40 or better in 88.4% (426/482); 20/20 or better in 75.7% (365); 2.1% (10/482) of eyes lost 2 lines, 2.1% (10/482) gained 2 lines; 3.1% (15/482) gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA; 74.4% (359/482) of eyes were within +/-0.50 D of target correction and 84.8% (408/482) were within +/-1.00 D. In Group 2, 47.5% (151/318) had UCVA of 20/40 or better; 34.2% (109/318) saw 20/20 or better uncorrected; 19.1% (61/318) lost 2 lines; 11.6% (37/318) lost 3 lines; none of the eyes gained 2 or more lines of BSCVA; 22.3% (71/318) were within +/-0.50 D and 46.8% (149/318) were within +/-1.00 D of target correction. Refractive stability was achieved after 6 months; a slight regression after 6 months was still observed. In Group 1, 10.5% (42/482) and in Group 2, 21.6% (69/318) complained of problems with daytime vision (glare and ghost image); during night-driving in Group 1, 17.6% (85/482) and in Group 2, 40.5% (129/318) had problems. CONCLUSION: PRK with the Aesculap-Meditec MEL 60 scanning ArF excimer laser offered the best long-term results with +3.50 D or less preoperative refractive error. With higher corrections, regression, decrease in BSCVA, and daytime visual problems were encountered.

Adult↗

Highlights of the 1st International Congress of Wavefront Sensing and Aberration-free Refractive Correction.

As we review the many new and evolving techniques for treating patients with customized ablation, it is obvious that there is a rapid evolution of technology and thought. Newly refined diagnostic technology, such as wavefront sensing, and more sophisticated spot laser delivery systems with eye tracking gives the refractive surgical team greater flexibility in tackling challenging optical abnormalities. These highlights of the 2000 Congress now set the stage for further development, outlined in the following selected papers from the 2001 Congress.

Cornea↗

Photokeratitis from subablative 193-nanometer excimer laser radiation.

BACKGROUND: Photokeratitis is a side effect of UV light exposure whereby the corneal epithelium is photochemically injured in a time delayed fashion. UV light exposure in the far ultraviolet wavelength range has not previously been observed. This study addresses the concern of photokeratitis from subablative 193-nanometer excimer laser light. METHODS: Dutch belted rabbit corneas were irradiated with subablative 193-nanometer excimer laser light over a wide range of total energy exposures, and examined by slit lamp biomicroscope for signs of photokeratitis. Photokeratitis was identified by epithelial haze and stippling, and rose bengal and fluorescein staining at varied time intervals between 1/2 to 26 hours post exposure. RESULTS: At threshold energy exposures of 1.0 to 1.5 J/cm2, an immediate superficial epithelial haze was seen which disappeared within several hours. At higher energy exposures of 10 J/cm2, a delayed photokeratitis with deep rose bengal and even fluorescein staining was seen. This latter delayed photokeratitis resembles that of longer UV wavelengths and is due to excimer laser fluorescence, whereas the former is a direct response of the 193-nanometer light. The percentage of excimer laser light undergoing fluorescence is calculated as less than 1%. CONCLUSIONS: The potential side effects and hazards of scattered 193-nanometer radiation during excimer laser surgery are extremely limited because of the shorter penetration depth of direct excimer radiation and the minimal fluorescent emission of longer UV wavelengths for energy exposures within the realm of clinical use.

Animals↗

Diffractive smoothing of excimer laser ablation using a defocused beam.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if excimer laser myopic ablation with a defocused laser image produces a smoother ablation profile than does focused laser light. METHODS: An ArF excimer laser was used to ablate a 5.00-diopter myopic correction in test blocks using both a contracting and expanding iris aperture. Defocused ablation was performed using a contracting iris aperture by translating the target away from the laser source. A confocal laser scanning microscope was used to analyze the surface smoothness at 55x and 275x magnifications. RESULTS: The confocal laser scanning micrographs revealed a series of sharply demarcated concentric ridges in the focused ablation, and less prominent, slightly wavy lines in the defocused ablation performed with a contracting aperture. The focused ablation with an expanding aperture also created concentric ridges toward the periphery, but with slightly smoother edges.

Lasers↗