PURPOSE Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is the controlled death of cells that occurs with minimal collateral damage to surrounding cells or tissue during development, homeostasis, and wound healing. The authors hypothesize the keratocyte apoptosis is an initiating factor in the wound-healing response after refractive surgical procedures. To evaluate the effects of different corneal manipulati...

Purpose: Certain changes occur in corneal tissue in women after menopause due to hormonal effects. Purpose of this study is to find out whether postmenopausal women have thinner central corneal thickness (CCT) when compared women of reproductive age group. Measurement of CCT is important for the success of refractive surgeries and for the calculation of intra ocular pressure. Methods: Central c...

27 Levine M, Walter S, Lee H, Haines T, Holbrook A, Moyer V. Users' guides to the medical literature. IV. How to use an article about harm. J7AMA 1994;271:1615-9. 28 Laupacis A, Welss G, Richardson WS, Tugwell P. Users' guides to the medical literature. V. How to use an article about prognosis. JAMA 1994;272:234-7. 29 Oxman AD, Cook DJ, Guyatt G. Users' guides to the medical literature. VI. How...

FEBRUARY 2010 CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY TODAY 49 MARK E. JOHNSTON, MD, FRCSC The three primary concerns with any microkeratome are safety, results, and cost. My colleagues and I have used the IntraLase FS laser (Abbott Medical Optics Inc., Santa Ana, CA) in more than 1,000 cases and the Zyoptix XP microkeratome (Technolas Perfect Vision, Saint Louis, MO) in over 10,000 cases. Both procedure...

Refractive errors are some of the most common ophthalmic abnormalities world-wide and are associated with significant morbidity. Tremendous advances in treating refractive errors have occurred over the past 20 years. The arrival of the excimer laser has allowed a level of accuracy in modifying the cornea that was unattainable before. Although refractive surgery is generally safe and effective, ...