TY  - JOUR
A1  - ,  
T1  - Corneal morphometry prior to and five years after corneal stromal photoablation: The possible role of topical anesthesia on postablative corneal morphometry
JO  - Eur. J. Anat.
SN  - 1136-4890
Y1  - 2003
VL  - 7
SP  - 69
EP  - 74
UR  - http://www.eurjanat.com/web/paper.php?id=03020069
KW  - anesthetic agent
KW  - oxybuprocaine
KW  - adult
KW  - aged
KW  - article
KW  - biometry
KW  - clinical article
KW  - cornea
KW  - cornea stroma
KW  - cornea stroma photoablation
KW  - cornea thickness
KW  - device
KW  - drug effect
KW  - excimer laser
KW  - female
KW  - human
KW  - laser surgery
KW  - male
KW  - morphometrics
KW  - pachymetry
KW  - postoperative period
KW  - preoperative evaluation
KW  - topical anesthesia
KW  - ultrasound
KW  - ultrasound pachymetry
KW  - ultraviolet radiation
N2  - The aim of this study was to investigate central corneal thickness values prior to and five years after ablation of the central cornea using 193 nm UV radiation. Thirty eight eyes of 38 subjects were analysed in a prospective study. Central corneal thickness measurements were carried out prior to and 60 months after corneal stromal photoablation under a 160 ?m flap with the Summit Excimed SVS plus excimer laser (Summit Technology, Inc. Walthan, MA). Mean intended ablation depth was 55±20 ?m. Central corneal thickness measurements were carried out with the DGH 2000 AP ultrasonic pachymeter (DGH Technology, Inc., San Diego, USA). Consecutive central corneal thickness readings were made until three consecutive measurements were within 5 mm of each other. The mean of these three consecutive readings was used as the value of central corneal thickness in this study. Preoperative mean central corneal thickness was 556±55 ?m; five years later it was 513.41 ?m (p<0.001). The difference between the "theoretical" postablative corneal thickness values and the "real" corneal thickness values observed 60 months after stromal photoablation was also significant (p<0.001). Five years after central corneal stromal photoablation using 193 nm UV radiation there was a disparity between the programmed postoperative residual corneal thickness and the corneal thickness obtained by ultrasound pachymetry. Further research is neccesary in order to identify possible unexpected values of corneal thickness after a paracentral corneal stromal photoablation has been carried out.
ER  -