To objectively determine the area of corneal abrasion, a video camera
was connected to a slit-lamp. The videosignal was digitized and analyz
ed by a computer program. The maximal horizontal and vertical diameter
s were measured as well as the total abraded area. The algorithms of c
alculating healing velocity of corneal epithelium are discussed, and t
his system was tested on patients treated for myopia with a 193 nm ArF
excimer laser. It was shown that topical steroid application did not
impair corneal epithelial healing velocity.