Influences on Enhancement Rates in Laser Vision Correction
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
The design of the study was to look consecutively at what are the prime influences on enhancements in laser vision correction. Influences in outcomes were evaluated in a series of patients and the findings will be reported.
Methods
A series of 4079 cases were reviewed consecutively from a single surgeon series. All of the surgeries were performed using a femtosecond laser for flap creation and laser vision correction was performed with the Alcon Wavelight Eye Q 400 Hz laser system.
Results
The series ranged in primary treatments of spherical equivalents (SE) from 0 to -12 diopters with up to 4 diopters of cylinder. The preoperative average SE was -4.59+/-2.79 D and the cylinder average was -0.9+/-0.9D. UCVA prior to the enhancement was 0.63+/-.23 (20/32) and post-enhancement was 0.99+/-0.2 (20/20). The overall enhancement rate for the group was 0.71%. The top four influences on enhancements were presence of an Opaque Bubble Layer (31%); dry eye disease (27.6%); history of ocular allergy (24.1%); and poor fixation (17.1%). Additional influences will be presented.
Conclusion
The presence of OBL was the number one influence on enhancements. Dry eye disease was the second most common influence. Ocular allergy in patients and potential influences will be discussed. Laser platforms, outcomes analysis, nomogram adjustments, and other influences will be discussed to help produce enhancement rates below 1%.