HOLMIUM - YAG LASER THERMOKERATOPLASTY FOR ASTIGMATISM IN RABBITS

BACKGROUND: Holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty has generated conside rable interest as a technique for correcting hyperopia. In this study, the effect of holmium:YAG laser on inducing astigmatism according to application patterns was evaluated. METHODS: An experimental study bas ed on the results of astigmatic holmium:YAG laser thermokeratoplasty u sing the Summit OmniMed laser system (Summit Technology Inc, Waltham, Mass) in 36 rabbit eyes is presented. We divided the rabbits into four groups: arcuate, reverse arcuate, linear, and control group according to application patterns. All rabbits were followed for 3 months and c ycloplegic refractive measurements were carried out. RESULTS: The aver age surgically induced astigmatism was 1.86 diopters (D) for the arcua te group, 2.93 D for the reverse arcuate group, and 1.31 D for the lin ear group. No significant complications related to the operation were noted. CONCLUSION: The reverse arcuate pattern of holmium:YAG laser th ermokeratoplasty is most effective in inducing astigmatism in rabbits.