Four-Year Visual and Functional Outcomes of Femtosecond Laser Intrastromal Procedure for Presbyopia
Purpose
To investigate the four year visual and functional outcomes of the Intracor Femtosecond intrastromal laser procedure to treat presbyopia.
Methods
Forty one eyes of forty one patients enrolled in this prospective study. Detailed pre-operative and post-operative assessments at day 1, week 1, week 6, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 4 years were carried out. The Intracor procedure was carried out on the non-dominant eye. Data recorded included preoperative unaided near and distance visual acuity, postoperative near and distance visual acuity, pre- and post-operative refraction, stereopsis, endothelial cell count, pachymetry, wavefront aberrations, corneal topography, patient satisfaction and spectacle independence.
Results
Preoperatively, the mean unaided near visual acuity was N14 ranging from N8 to N36, with a mean required near addition of +1.91 dioptres. At four years post-operatively, the mean unaided near visual acuity was N5 with a mean refraction of -0.195 dioptres spherical equivalence. 92.6% reported spectacle independence with 36.5% reading unaided full-time. One patient who had undergone prior hyperopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) treatment developed progressive corneal steepening with increasing myopia, which, was subsequently improved with the insertion of a phakic intraocular lens.
Conclusion
The femtosecond laser based INTRACOR treatment for presbyopia shows excellent medium-long term results in patients who have not undergone prior corneal surgery. Patient satisfaction remains high at four years.