Laser In Situ Keratomileusis for Myopia Using Manual Dissection

Abstract

Forty-two eyes underwent interlamellar photoablation, a simple method of exposing the stroma to excimer laser treatment using common surgical instruments. A 8 mm diameter line up to 200 µm thick is raised manually from its bed. The stromal bed is reshaped with the excimer laser, and restoring the disc results in correction of high myopia. Our own nomogram was used. This method allows the use of less corticosteroids and final visual acuity recovers between 20 and 90 days postoperatively, time required for interface adherence and epithelial remodeling. Two treatment zones were used when 80% of the patient's myopia was greater than 10.00 diopters (D). One-year follow-up data allowed us to conclude that this method achieved results similar to excimer laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). [J Refract Surg. 1995;11 (suppl.):S239-S243.]