Effects of Positive Acceleration on Corneal Stability in Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK) Subjects.

摘要

This study was a unique aeromedical investigational into the impact of high +Gz exposure on the human cornea on both untreated and treated subjects after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) It is the first published scientific report to examine corneal stability using advanced technology to evaluate non%al and post PkK corneas effects as a consequence of high +Gz levels associated with high performance military aircraft To examine corneal stability of untreated and treated eyes, repeated data collections were accomplished prior to and at defined time intervals following surgical treatment. Analyzed data found that all ocular surface and refractive measures captured did not significantly differ between untreated and PkK treated subjects under +Gz exposure up to +9 Gz sustained or associated with common air combat maneuvers. Visual acuity, while found to be significantly decreased overall with exposure to high +Gz, did not significantly differ between untreated and treated subjects. It is believed that vibration induced effects were the primary factor causing this. More specifically, PkK subjects performed no differently than non- PkK subjects on visual acuity challenges in this study.