Wavefront Optimized Versus Custom-Q Treatments in Surface Ablation for Myopic Astigmatism With the WaveLight ALLEGRETTO Laser

<h4>PURPOSE</h4><p>To compare treatments with wavefront optimized and custom-Q ablations.</p> <h4>METHODS</h4><p>Two consecutive groups of eyes were treated for myopia and astigmatism with surface ablation. One group was treated with wavefront optimized ablation and the second group was treated with custom-Q ablation. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative Q-values, higher order aberrations, low contrast visual acuity, and classic outcome parameters were analyzed.</p> <h4>RESULTS</h4><p>The wavefront optimized ablation group was comprised of 46 eyes of 23 patients with a mean spherical equivalent refraction (SE) of –3.64 diopters (D) (range: –1.15 to –8.25 D); mean Q-value changed from –0.33 preoperatively to 0.06 postoperatively. The custom-Q ablation group was comprised of 42 eyes of 21 patients with a mean SE of –3.24 D (range: –1.47 to –8.00 D); mean Q-value changed from –0.36 preoperatively to –0.03 postoperatively. A statistically significant difference in postoperative change in Q-values (<i>P</i>=.049) between the two groups was noted, but there was no such difference in higher order aberrations, low contrast visual acuity, or classic outcome parameters.</p> <h4>CONCLUSIONS</h4><p>Custom-Q ablation resulted in a mean postoperative asphericity that was closer to preoperative compared to wavefront optimized ablation, whereas the other outcome parameters showed no statistically significant differences. [<cite>J Refract Surg.</cite> 2008;24:779-789.]</p> <h4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</h4> <p>From the Eye Department, University Hospital of North Norway and SynsLaser Kirurgi, Tomsø, Norway (Stojanovic); School of Ophthalmology and Optometry and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China (L. Wang, Q. Wang); Milos Klinika, Medical Academy – US Medical School, Belgrade, Serbia (Jankov); and Øyelegesenteret, Tomsø, Norway (Nitter).</p> <p>This study was supported by SynsLaser Kirurgi, Tomsø, Norway.</p> <p>Dr Jankov is a paid consultant for WaveLight AG, Erlangen, Germany. The remaining authors have no proprietary or financial interest in the materials presented herein.</p> <p>Correspondence: Aleksandar Stojanovic, MD, Fløyvn 32, 9020 Tromsdalen, Norway. Tel: 47 90693319; Fax: 47 77647929; E-mail: <a href="mailto:aleks@online.no">aleks@online.no</a></p> <p>Received: February 26, 2007</p> <p>Accepted: November 7, 2007</p> <p><b>Posted online: March 15, 2008</b></p>