Optimized prolate ablations with the NIDEK CXII excimer laser.

PURPOSE To describe a novel excimer laser ablation algorithm, termed optimized prolate ablation (OPA), that uses both topography and ocular aberrometry and maintains or improves the natural corneal shape postoperatively. METHODS A descriptive article outlining the theory behind this OPA algorithm. RESULTS The theoretical changes to the ablation algorithm described in this article will produce a prolate cornea postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS OPA treated eyes will have equal or better visual quality than preoperatively because age-related changes from lenticular spherical aberration are measured and treated.