Browse articles from EyeWorld.org related to refractive surgery. EyeWorld is the award-winning member publication of ASCRS. The magazine provides news and updates from the Society as well as clinical features in the areas of cataract, refractive, cornea, glaucoma, and practice management. It publishes quarterly with editorial direction from its medical editorial board and staff.
When it comes to premium lenses, patients have high expectations for great outcomes. Three physicians discussed some of the technologies they use preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively to help achieve excellent outcomes.
After being forced to close for several months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many ophthalmologists had to make adjustments to practices in the clinic and surgery when they reopened. EyeWorld spoke to several surgeons about what they’ve seen in terms of LASIK numbers since reopening, with many noting that they’ve actually seen an uptick in this procedure.
Managing astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery is a weighty topic with many variables. What technology to measure astigmatism—power and axis? How many measurements to take for reliability? How to ensure accuracy and consistency of measurements? What course of correction to take?
Whether astigmatic correction was targeted in cataract surgery or not, there is always a risk for residual astigmatism postop. When to address this astigmatism—and how—depends on several factors, including patient perception, healing time, trust in measurements, and more.
Though FDA approved, the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL, RxSight, Aliso Viejo, California) is not yet currently available in the U.S. Robert Maloney, MD, Los Angeles, John Doane, MD, Leawood, Kansas, David F. Chang, MD, Los Altos, California, and Kevin Waltz, MD, Indianapolis, discussed their experience with the lens in clinical trial, how it works, and for what corrections it has approval.
The SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction) procedure (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Jena, Germany) is increasing in popularity, with many studies on its results and how it compares to LASIK. Though it does not have as long of a track record as LASIK, which has been used for around 2 decades, SMILE is gaining ground, with particular application for patients with myopia.
Results of a study showed that for LASIK patients needing enhancement for which a flap lift may be difficult, PRK is safe and effective.
The correction of high myopia is limited, but phakic IOLs do provide a surgical option. "For many years we have been looking for a quality anterior chamber phakic IOL that could be easily performed in a clean room rather than an operating room," said Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, partner at Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island, Rockville Centre, N.Y., and clinical professor of ophthalmology, New York University Medical School.
What can be done for patients with post-LASIK corneal neuralgia?
Refractive lens exchange is a growing treatment option in the U.S., with hyperopic presbyopes over age 50 being the ideal candidates. Physicians stress the importance of patient education for this procedure.