Axial and transverse displacement tolerances during excimer laser surgery for myopia

摘要

This paper presents an analysis of the effects of axial and transverse displacement on the optical quality and accuracy of lenses created during excimer laser photoablation. Tolerance levels for axial positioning of the cornea prior to and during surgery are presented. The axial tolerance levels are dependent upon a number of parameters which include the intended dioptric correction and laser system cone angle. A collimation lens is introduced as a means of desensitizing the laser system to axial displacement. Transverse displacement tolerances during laser treatment are shown to depend upon the treatment diameter, dioptric correction and acceptable distortion level in the lens ablated into the anterior corneal stroma. A video and computer analysis of transverse motion during seven randomly selected excimer laser refractive surgeries is presented. Although transverse displacement exceeded the tolerance levels presented, it did not appear to affect the quality of correction in the eight patients analyzed.