[Epi-LASIK with a 1000 hertz excimer laser]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, stability and efficacy of Epi-LASIK with a 1000 hertz excimer laser system.

Methods: 40 eyes of 23 patients underwent an Epi-LASIK procedure using the Gebauer EpiLift and the WaveLight Concept System 1000. Preoperatively as well as 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively, a complete ophthalmic examination, including objective and subjective refraction (UCVA, BCVA) and topography, was performed.

Results: The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -4.07 D (SD ± 1.89 D). 1 month after surgery, the spherical equivalent was + 0.01 D (SD ± 0.33 D), and 3 months after surgery -0.06 D (SD ± 0.28 D). 3 months after the Epi-LASIK procedure, 90 % of the patients were within ± 0.5 D of the intended correction, and 97.5 % were within ± 1.0 D of the intended correction. The astigmatism was reduced from -0.77 D (SD ± 0.68 D) to -0.24 D (SD ± 0.29 D) 3 months after surgery. 34 of the 40 eyes had a clear cornea 3 months after surgery, and 6 of the 40 eyes presented with haze grade 0.5.

Conclusions: In our pilot series of 40 eyes, the use of the 1000 hertz excimer laser did not reveal any specific clinical side effects potentially associated with the use of a high repetition rate. These first results with Epi-LASIK and the WaveLight Concept System 1000 are very promising.