Algorithm to correct hyperopic astigmatism with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of a new ablation algorithm for the correction of hyperopic astigmatism with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser was evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-five eyes with mean preoperative hyperopia of +3.76 ± 1.70 D and a mean hyperopic cylinder of 2.20 ± 0.80 D underwent photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) using a new algorithm with the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser (software version 3.0). The new algorithm differed from previous algorithms in that less tissue was removed for the same amount of diopters, and there was less of a dioptric gradient between the optical zone and the transition zone. Mean preoperative spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.8 ± 0.09. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. RESULTS: Mean postoperative spectacle corrected visual acuity (geometric mean) increased significantly to 0.89 ± 0.1. The mean sphere decreased by 3.08 D and the mean cylinder by 1.60 D. CONCLUSION: Hyperopic PRK using the Nidek EC-5000 excimer laser with this new algorithm for hyperopic astigmatism appears to be safe and effective.