Article
Functional optical zone (FOZ) for different laser systems
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Published: | September 22, 2004 |
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Outline
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Objective
Optical quality (aberration) of the cornea is -besides visual acuity- an important criterion for the success of corneal refractive surgery. In this study the individually calculated values for the Functional Optical Zone (FOZ) are compared for three different laser systems.
Methods
Based on the corneal topography obtained with a commercially available video topography system (C-Scan), the corneal image on a virtual retina is calculated by a newly developed Windows-based software module by means of Ray-Tracing. The result is the Surface Quality Map (SQM), showing the Functional Optical Zone, being defined by a quality factor above 95%. In this study 298 eyes with myopic corrections (PRK) between -0.75 and -10.0 D and a Treatment Zone Diameter of 6.5 mm are analyzed.
Results
The higher the amount of ametropia corrected, the higher the reduction of the FOZ. An association was also found between the reduction of the FOZ and the change of Best Spectacle Corrected Visual Acuity (BSCVA). Reduction of the FOZ for a given amount of correction was comparable for the three laser systems. No correlation was found between preoperative FOZ and preoperative degree of ametropia or BSCVA.
Conclusions
The Surface Quality Map is an important tool for the assessment of Selective Corneal Aberrations and the detection of the FOZ as the "real optical relevant diameter of correction" - in contrast to the treatment zone diameter. It allows qualifying and optimizing the algorithm of the laser system used. Furthermore together with a preoperative measurement of the pupil diameter it will help predicting potential problems after refractive surgery under mesopic conditions.