We are pleased to announce the publication of an informative article titled “The ELZA Approach: Rehabilitating Vision after Keratoconus using transPRK, PACE, and All Femto-CAIRS” in The Ophthalmologist. Authored by Prof. Farhad Hafezi and Dr. Emilio Torres-Netto from the ELZA Institute, the article offers detailed insights into cutting-edge treatments for keratoconus, a corneal disorder that significantly impairs visual quality.
Article Overview
Keratoconus involves the progressive thinning and bulging of the cornea, which leads to visual distortion. While corneal cross-linking (CXL) has been effective in stopping the progression of the disease, it does not correct the corneal irregularities that impair vision. The ELZA Institute has developed several advanced procedures that not only halt the disease progression but also aim to significantly enhance visual outcomes.
The ELZA approach to rehabilitation of keratoconus vision
The publication outlines several surgical techniques and their integration into patient care at ELZA:
- TransPRK: This is a surface ablation technique that reshapes the cornea by focusing on regularizing its surface rather than just flattening it. TransPRK can address up to 1 diopter of irregularity and is particularly effective in reducing higher-order aberrations (HOAs).
- PACE (PTK-assisted customized epi-on CXL): This innovative method combines minimal epithelial removal with targeted cross-linking. It is tailored to strengthen the cornea precisely where needed, leading to an immediate and significant flattening of the cone, typically achieving about 8–12 diopters of flattening over 6 months to a year.
- All Femto-CAIRS: An advancement of traditional CAIRS using donor corneal tissue to create ring segments placed within laser-created pockets. This method is less invasive and highly customizable, allowing for up to 5 diopters of irregularity correction depending on the specific placement and sizing of the segments.
Combining Techniques for Optimal Outcomes
The article emphasizes that combining these techniques can lead to superior visual outcomes, tailored to the severity and specifics of the corneal irregularity in each patient. For example, patients with significant corneal thinning might first undergo PACE to stabilize and flatten the cornea, followed by All Femto-CAIRS for further shape regularization, and potentially completed with TransPRK to fine-tune the visual outcome.
Access the Full Article
For a comprehensive understanding of these techniques, their application, and patient outcomes, the full article can be accessed on The Ophthalmologist‘s website at Rehabilitating Vision after Keratoconus.
