Biomedical subjects

Kazuo Tsubota

Publications and source records attributed to Kazuo Tsubota.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Randomized clinical trial of deep lamellar keratoplasty vs penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To prospectively compare the safety and efficacy of deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. METHODS: Consecutive 26 eyes of 24 patients who had stromal opacity without endothelial abnormalities were randomly assigned to either PKP or DLKP. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast visual acuity, glare test, intraocular pressure, corneal topography, endothelial density, and pachymetry were measured before and after surgery. RESULTS: Two eyes in the DLKP had rupture of the Descemet membrane and one of the eyes developed endothelial decompensation. One eye in the PKP group showed decreases in vision due to secondary glaucoma. None of the eyes developed immunologic rejection. The PKP group showed a tendency of faster recovery in BCVA than the DLKP group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Contrast visual acuity, glare test, and corneal topography did not show significant differences between the two groups. The intraocular pressure was significantly higher at 12 months in the PKP group (P =.004), but not in the DLKP group (P =.41) compared with preoperative values. While the PKP group showed progressive decrease in endothelial density over 24 months, this was not observed in the DLKP group after surgery. Difference in endothelial density at 24 months reached statistical significance (P =.04). CONCLUSIONS: We found that DLKP was superior to PKP in its safety such as continuous decreases of endothelium or increases in intraocular pressure. However, endothelial damage can also occur in DLKP, especially in cases of intraoperative Descemet membrane rupture. With the development of easier surgical techniques, DLKP may be a first choice of keratoplasty in most eyes without endothelial abnormalities.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis: clinical features and possible mechanisms.

PURPOSE: To analyze the incidence, clinical course, and possible mechanisms of epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). DESIGN: Interventional case series. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of 4,867 eyes of 2,502 patients who had LASIK. The type of microkeratome (LSK-One or MK-2000), corneal flap thickness, and clinical course were analyzed. We also compared the cutting characteristics of both microkeratomes in pig cadaver eyes by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The frequency of epithelial ingrowth was significantly greater in the MK-2000 (34 of 1,680 eyes; 2.0%) than the LSK-One group (30 of 3,187 eyes; 0.94%; P =.001). In 24 eyes (37.5%), blood, cell infiltration, ointment under the corneal flaps, or epithelial defect were detected at the area of epithelial ingrowth postoperatively. The incidence of epithelial ingrowth was correlated with the incidence of epithelial defect during surgery (P <.001) and with incidence of diffuse lamellar keratitis after surgery (P =.003). Flap thickness was thinner in eyes with epithelial ingrowth (126.0 +/- 29.1 microm) compared with flap thickness in eyes without epithelial ingrowth (133.8 +/- 27.3 microm; P <.001). Scanning electron microscopy showed clear differences in the appearance of flap edges created by the two types of microkeratomes. Epithelial ingrowth disappeared or remained unchanged in 54 eyes (90%) and progressed in six cases (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Poor adhesion caused by excessive hydration due to epithelial defect as well as by foreign bodies between the flap stromal bed and thickness and morphologic characters of the corneal flap, depending on the type of microkeratomes, are related factors for development of epithelial ingrowth.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Transplantation of human limbal epithelium cultivated on amniotic membrane for the treatment of severe ocular surface disorders.

PURPOSE: To study the short-term clinical results of transplanting of cultivated corneal/limbal epithelial cells on human amniotic membrane (AM) for limbal deficiency. DESIGN: Noncomparative, retrospective interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Thirteen eyes of 13 patients with severe limbal deficiency (Stevens-Johnson syndrome in eight eyes, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid in three eyes, and chemical burns in two eyes) were treated at the department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Japan. INTERVENTION: Cultivated allo-limbal epithelium was transplanted onto the ocular surface of patients with severe limbal deficiency. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ocular surface reconstruction with corneal epithelialization, changes in visual acuity, and postoperative complications were studied. Histologic examinations were also performed on cultivated epithelium. RESULTS: Cultivated corneal epithelium on AM formed two to three layers with the formation of basement membrane-like structures. After the surgery, the epithelium regenerated and covered the ocular surface in eight eyes (61.5%). However, three of the eight eyes developed partial conjunctival invasion, and two eyes later developed epithelial defects. At last examination, corneal epithelialization was achieved in six eyes (46.2%). Five eyes had conjunctivalization, one eye had dermal epithelialization, and one eye was not epithelialized. Complications were corneal perforation in four eyes and infectious keratitis in two eyes. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the success rate for transplanting cultivated allo-limbal epithelium on the AM is not different from the conventional limbal and AM transplantation for the treatment of severe limbal stem cell dysfunction.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Low-concentration homogenized castor oil eye drops for noninflamed obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: We developed low-concentration homogenized castor oil eye drops for the treatment of patients with noninflamed obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), a major cause of lipid-deficiency dry eye, and assessed the safety, stability, and efficacy of the eye drops. DESIGN: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Forty eyes of 20 patients with noninflamed MGD. METHODS: After a preliminary study of eye drops containing castor oil, 2% castor oil and 5% polyoxyethylene castor oil (emulsifier) were mixed to formulate homogenized oil eye drops. The patients were assigned randomly to receive oil eye drops or placebo six times daily for 2 periods of 2 weeks each. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At the end of each treatment period, we assessed symptoms, tear interference grade, tear evaporation, fluorescein and rose bengal scores, tear break-up time (BUT), and meibomian gland orifice obstruction. Safety and stability tests were also performed. RESULTS: Symptom scores, tear interference grade, tear evaporation test results, rose bengal scores, tear BUT, and orifice obstruction scores after the oil eye drop period showed significant improvement compared with the results after the placebo period. No complications attributable to the eye drops were observed. The oil eye drops were stable when stored at 4 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that castor oil eye drops are effective and safe in the treatment of MGD. The possible mechanisms of this treatment are improvement of tear stability as a result of lipid spreading, ease of meibum expression, prevention of tear evaporation, and the lubricating effect of the oil eye drops.

Castor Oil↗

PubMed2002

Cataract surgery combined with ocular surface reconstruction in patients with severe cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: To present the technique and outcome of cataract surgery combined with ocular surface reconstruction in patients with severe cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan. METHODS: Phacoemulsification with transplantation of a limbal allograft and an amniotic membrane was performed in 4 eyes of 3 patients with cataract and end-stage cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis. The surgical technique and the improvements in visual acuity were reviewed. The follow-up ranged from 13 to 27 months. RESULTS: Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed in all cases without intraoperative complications. In 3 of the 4 eyes, the best corrected visual acuity improved from hand motions to 20/100, hand motions to 20/30, and counting fingers to 20/50. The visual acuity recovered to 20/60 postoperatively in 1 eye in which the preoperative visual acuity was light perception; at 1 year, the visual acuity decreased to hand motions because of recurrent fibrous tissue over the cornea. CONCLUSION: Small-incision phacoemulsification was performed safely in combination with ocular surface reconstruction in patients with cataract and end-stage cicatricial keratoconjunctivitis.

Cataract↗

PubMed2002

Reasons for not performing refractive surgery.

PURPOSE: To analyze the reasons that laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) or photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) were not performed in patients who requested surgical correction of their refractive errors. SETTING: Minamiaoyama Eye Clinic, Tokyo, Japan. METHODS: This retrospective review comprised 2784 consecutive patients who visited our clinic between June 1997 and August 2000. The reasons they did not receive refractive surgery (PRK or LASIK) were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 2784 patients who requested surgery for refractive errors, 2079 patients (74.7%) had PRK or LASIK and 705 patients (25.3%) did not. The most common reasons for not treating patients surgically were myopia greater than -12.0 diopters and/or high astigmatism (20.7%), insufficient corneal thickness (8.2%), keratoconus (6.4%), cataract (5.7%), and hyperopia and/or hyperopic astigmatism (4.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who request surgery have a variety of problems. Attention must be given to these individual problems, and the indications must be considered.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Limbal stem cell transplantation for the treatment of subepithelial amyloidosis of the cornea (gelatinous drop-like dystrophy).

PURPOSE: Subepithelial amyloidosis of the cornea, or gelatinous drop-like corneal dystrophy (GDD), is a severe form of corneal stromal amyloidosis predominantly found in the Japanese population. GDD causes severe visual disturbances with irritating symptoms, and keratoplasty is inevitably complicated by early recurrence. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) for the treatment of GDD. METHODS: Nine consecutive eyes of seven patients with GDD were treated with LSCT. Limbal grafts were obtained from cadaver eyes. All eyes underwent lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty simultaneously with LSCT. Intensive epithelial management and immunosuppression therapy was performed. RESULTS: With a mean observation period of 4 years, eight (88.9%) of nine eyes did not show any signs of recurrence. Five grafts remained clear, and seven eyes had an improvement in vision. Glaucoma and rejection were observed in five and three eyes, respectively, and two eyes with glaucoma required surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Limbal stem cell transplantation is effective for the prevention of recurrence in GDD. Control of intraocular pressure and rejection are the keys to long-term maintenance of clear grafts.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

Ocular surface reconstruction update.

Ocular surface reconstruction (OSR) is now a standard procedure in the treatment of severe ocular surface disorders. The past few years have revealed the long-term results of patients who were operated on during the early stages of OSR development, and we now have a more realistic view of the benefits and limits of the procedure. On the other hand, further understanding of the physiologic role played by the amniotic membrane (AM) has opened doors to further refined techniques in treating these patients. This review will introduce some of the major contributions made during the past years in the advancement of OSR. Clinically, we are at a stage of reviewing the pros and cons of the various transplantation techniques. Identification of factors crucial for a successful OSR procedure will further improve surgical results. Basic researchers are on the verge of identifying the so-called limbal stem cells, and further understanding of AM physiology will lead the way to tissue engineering techniques as another alternative in OSR surgery.

Amnion↗

PubMed2002

CC-chemokine receptor 3: a possible target in treatment of allergy-related corneal ulcer.

PURPOSE: To determine the suppressive effects of antibodies (Abs) against CC-chemokine receptor (CCR)-1 and CCR-3 on eosinophil chemotaxis induced by culture supernatant from corneal keratocytes and by tears from severely allergic patients with corneal ulcer. METHODS: Primary cultures of human corneal keratocytes were incubated with interleukin (IL)-4 (33.3 ng/mL) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (33.3 ng/mL) for 48 hours. In tear samples collected from five severely allergic patients and three nonallergic control subjects, eosinophils were immunostained for CCR. Next, eosinophils purified from peripheral blood were preincubated with or without anti-CCR-1 and anti-CCR-3 Abs before a Boyden chamber assay was conducted. Recombinant human (rh) eotaxin, rh-regulated on activation normal T-cell expressed and secreted (rh-RANTES), culture supernatant from human corneal keratocytes, and tear samples were used as chemoattractants. RESULTS: Eosinophils in tears from allergic patients expressed CCR-1 and -3 on their surfaces. Anti-CCR-1 and -3 Abs each inhibited eosinophil chemotaxis induced by rh-RANTES. Anti-CCR-3 Ab (but not anti-CCR-1 Ab) also inhibited eosinophil chemotaxis induced by rh-eotaxin. Anti-CCR-1 and -3 Abs, respectively, inhibited up to 75.2% and 94.6% of eosinophil chemotaxis induced by culture supernatant, as well as 27.8% and 74.5% of chemotaxis induced by tear samples. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-CCR-1 and -3 Abs inhibited eosinophil chemotaxis induced by culture supernatant from corneal keratocytes and tear samples from severely allergic patients. Anti-CCR-3 Ab was more effective than anti-CCR-1 Ab. Inhibition of CCR-3 on eosinophils may be a treatment for corneal ulcer in patients with ocular allergy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Increased tear evaporation in a patient with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting syndrome.

PURPOSE: To describe the tear function and ocular surface disorders in a patient with ectrodactyly-ectodermal dysplasia-clefting (EEC) syndrome. METHODS: Routine ophthalmic examinations were performed, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, anterior segment photography including transillumination photos of the lids, Schirmer tests I and II, tear film break-up time (BUT) assessment, corneal fluorescein staining, DR-1 tear film lipid layer interferometry, and tear evaporation rate measurements. RESULTS: Slit-lamp examination revealed conjunctival hyperemia, superficial punctate keratopathy, and corneal leucoma with neovascularization. Although the Schirmer test values were within normal limits, the BUT value was 0 s in both eyes. Transillumination of the lids showed the absence of meibomian glandular structures. DR-1 tear film lipid layer interferometry results were dry eye grade 5 with an irregular tear film, areas of corneal surface exposure, and several dry spots. The tear evaporation rate was elevated and was measured as 6.98 x 10(-7) g/cm2 per second (normal, 4.1 +/- 1.4 x 10(-7) g/cm2 per second). CONCLUSION: The ocular surface disorder and shortened BUT in EEC syndrome were attributed to the absence of meibomian glands, leading to lipid layer deficiency in the tear film with a concomitant increase in tear evaporation.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Immunological characteristics of patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: Previously, we have reported that local excision and immunosuppressive treatment are useful in treating patients with very severe vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC). METHODS: We measured serum levels of immunoglobulins, cytokines, and interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R) and the concentration of IL-4 in tears of 10 patients with severe VKC, and made a comparison with data from 10 healthy controls. Brush cytology specimens were examined to determine the number of inflammatory cells and the human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression in conjunctiva. RESULTS: The mean serum level of total immunoglobulin (Ig)E, but not IgG, was higher in severe VKC patients compared with healthy controls. Specific IgE positivity to housedust, dust mites, and cat antigens was observed in 60-80% of patients. The level of IL-4 and IL-2R in serum and IL-4 in tears before treatment was higher in patients with VKC compared with controls. Serum levels of IL-2 and interferon-gamma did not increase. Brush cytology specimens from patients expressed HLA-DR. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that VKC could be a combination of type I allergic disease and an inflammatory cell disease including activated T cells, especially Th2 cells. Therefore, the surgical removal of inflammatory cells combined with immunosuppressive therapy could be advocated as a method of treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Disposable eyelid-warming device for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical efficacy of a newly developed disposable eyelid-warming device (Eye Warmer) for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). METHODS: The Eye Warmer was applied for 5 minutes to 44 eyes of 22 patients who exhibited decreased tear break-up time (BUT) and dry-eye symptoms. Its efficacy was assessed on the basis of BUT and dry-eye symptoms in the short-term study. In the therapeutic study, the Eye Warmer was applied to 34 eyes of 17 MGD patients with decreased BUT and dry-eye symptoms for 5 minutes once a day for 2 weeks. The 16 eyes of 8 patients served as untreated controls. We examined tear film lipid layer interference patterns, BUT, meibomian gland secretion, and dry-eye symptoms in both groups before and after the treatment. RESULTS: BUT and dry-eye symptoms significantly improved after the treatment in both the short-term and the therapeutic study (P<.01). The incidence of normal tear lipid layer in the treated group was significantly higher after treatment (28 eyes [82.4%]) than before (19 eyes [55.9%]) (P=.036). The incidence of meibomian gland obstruction was significantly decreased after treatment (14 eyes [41.2%]) compared to before treatment (26 eyes [76.5%]) (P=.006). CONCLUSIONS: Warming the eyelids with the Eye Warmer improved the stability and uniformity of the tear lipid layer in MGD patients by melting the meibomian gland lipid. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of the Eye Warmer for the treatment of MGD.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Current concepts in ocular surface reconstruction.

Diseases that affect the limbal stem cells are multifactorial and present with different stages of severity. The most important features to be considered in evaluating these patients include the degree of limbal stem cell loss, the extent of conjunctival disease, and the presence and etiology of ocular surface inflammation. Other important factors are tear film and eyelid abnormalities, keratinization of the ocular surface, laterality of the disease process, health and age of the patient. Careful consideration of all of these factors help tremendously in tailoring the most suitable method of treatment for each patient. The management of severe ocular surface disease has benefited from numerous advances in recent years. At one time, available techniques for visual rehabilitation consisted of superficial keratectomy, use of artificial tears, tarsorraphy as well as lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty. A lamellar or penetrating keratoplasty procedure resulted in a stable surface only for as long as the donor epithelium was present and once the epithelium sloughed off, the ocular surface failed due to conjunctivalization. The last few decades enjoyed the development and, especially, progress of new ocular surface reconstruction techniques such as amniotic membrane transplantation, limbal stem cell transplant procedures, transplantation of cultivated oral mucosal or limbal stem cell sheets. This review will briefly focus on the indications and methodology of each procedure and the currently available clinical data on the results of these procedures.

Amnion↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for insufficient fixation of microkeratome during laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential risk factors leading to insufficient fixation of a microkeratome during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), especially in Asian eyes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 1809 eyes of 972 patients that underwent LASIK. Profiles of patients (age, sex, past medical history, width of palpebral fissure, corneal power, and postoperative clinical course) whose operations were discontinued due to insufficient fixation were compared to all LASIK patients. RESULTS: Insufficient fixation was observed in 18 eyes of 16 patients. Those patients were significantly younger (26.1 +/- 5.5 yr) compared to all patients (32.3 +/- 8.6 yr). Mean keratometric power was 42.40 +/- 1.37 D in patients with insufficient fixation and 43.60 +/- 1.40 D in all patients (P < .001). Maximum width of palpebral fissure with eyes wide open was 0.96 +/- 0.20 mm in patients with insufficient fixation, and 1.10 +/- 0.19 mm in all patients (P = .0015). These patients subsequently underwent LASIK utilizing combinations of cooling, frequent corticosteroid instillation for several hours, and lateral canthotomy. CONCLUSION: Narrow palpebral fissures commonly found in Asian populations might be a risk factor for insufficient fixation of a microkeratome in LASIK, especially in young patients with flat corneas.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diffuse lamellar keratitis and flap margin epithelial healing after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether wound healing of the corneal epithelium at the flap margin influences development of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: We examined prospectively 1928 eyes of 994 patients after LASIK. Condition of wound healing at the flap margin 1 day after LASIK was graded as gutter score from 0 to 3, according to the extent of fluorescein staining. Existence of DLK, gutter score, and the location of DLK and gutter were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty-eight eyes (3.5%) developed DLK. The average gutter score was significantly higher in patients with DLK compared to those without DLK (P<.001). The location of DLK was identical to the location of gutter in 44 eyes (77.2%). CONCLUSION: Disruption of integrity of the epithelial barrier function at the flap margin was associcated with diffuse lamellar keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Risk factors for development of diffuse lamellar keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors and mechanisms of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: In 5708 eyes of 2927 patients who underwent LASIK, the patient's background, clinical findings, and surgical data were retrospectively evaluated and compared with patients who had DLK and those who did not (non-DLK group). RESULTS: DLK occurred in 46 of 5708 eyes (0.81%). DLK occurred more frequently in eyes operated with the MK-2000 microkeratome (1.1%) than with the LSK-One microkeratome (0.6%; P = .039). Corneal endothelial cell density (2686.8 +/- 235.3/mm2) was significantly lower in eyes that developed DLK than in eyes without DLK (2783.8 +/- 275.5/mm2; P = .017). The width of palpebral fissure in a normal state and the maximum opening position were significantly larger in the DLK group (10.3 +/- 1.9 mm and 18.1 +/- 7.2 mm, respectively) than the non-DLK group (8.3 +/- 1.6 mm with P < .001; 11.5 +/- 2.0 mm with P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: The type of microkeratome, lower corneal endothelial cell density, and larger palpebral fissure were potential risk factors for DLK after LASIK. These factors may be associated with delayed wound healing of the corneal flap margin, resulting in poor sealing of the flap, which may induce the influx of inflammatory cells.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ocular surface treatment before laser in situ keratomileusis in patients with severe dry eye.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in patients with severe dry eye associated with Sjögren's syndrome. METHODS: Three patients (six eyes) with Sjögren's syndrome who underwent bilateral LASIK were retrospectively evaluated for visual outcome, intraoperative and postoperative complications, dry eye status (subjective symptoms and objective findings, Schirmer test, vital staining of the ocular surface), and outcome satisfaction by subjective questionnaire. All patients had negative reflex tearing and were treated with topical autologous serum and/or punctal occlusion prior to LASIK to improve the ocular surface. This treatment was continued postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean attempted correction of six eyes was -8.46 +/- 1.55 D (range -7.00 to -10.63 D). One year after LASIK, mean uncorrected visual acuity was 1.07 (range 0.7 to 1.5), mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 1.29 (range 1.2 to 1.5), and mean refraction was -0.19 +/- 0.51 D (range -1.00 to +0.50 D). Tear production, rose bengal and fluorescein staining, and dry eye symptoms were not exacerbated after LASIK. No complications, such as intraoperative epithelial defect, diffuse lamellar keratitis, epithelial ingrowth, or recurrent erosion occurred. All three patients were satisfied with the outcome of their surgery. CONCLUSION: LASIK can be safely and effectively managed in patients with severe dry eye with reduced reflex tearing by preoperative and postoperative treatments consisting of a combination of artificial tears, topical autologous serum, and punctal occlusion. Careful assessment of preoperative and postoperative ocular surface status is mandatory in such patients.

Cornea↗

PubMedDate not supplied

INTACS before or after laser in situ keratomileusis: correction of thin corneas with moderately high myopia.

PURPOSE: Intrastromal corneal ring segments (INTACS Micro-Thin Prescription Inserts by Addition Technologies, Fremont, Calif) were inserted as a combined surgery with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in six eyes with thin corneas to correct moderately high myopia. METHODS: INTACS were implanted before LASIK (INTACS-LASIK) in three eyes and after LASIK (LASIK-INTACS) in three eyes. Mean preoperative manifest spherical equivalent refraction was -7.88 diopters. Mean follow-up was 306 days. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications occurred. The LASIK-INTACS eyes were slightly more overcorrected than the INTACS-LASIK eyes because of the enhanced performance of INTACS in the thinned corneal tissue. Induced astigmatism by INTACS per se was less in the LASIK-INTACS eyes than in the INTACS-LASIK eyes. At last examination, uncorrected visual acuity was better than 20/25 in all eyes. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was within 1 line of the preoperative value in all eyes. CONCLUSION: Both methods resulted in significant improvement in visual acuity and refraction. Based on our limited experience, however, LASIK followed by INTACS is preferred for reasons of safety, convenience, and lower induced cylinder.

Adult↗