PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of bilateral intrastromal femtosecond laser correction of presbyopia (INTRACOR). METHODS: In a prospective study 17 patients were enrolled who had previously received binocular treatment in a two-step approach. Postoperative (4-8 months) outcomes were compared with a matched control group who had undergone only unilateral surgery of the non-dominant eye (n = 17 patients, 24 months after surgery). RESULTS: The binocular distance corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) showed the same median but lower scattering of values after bilateral treatment: 0.10 (median in logMAR) (0.30/- 0.10 min/max) (study) versus 0.10 (0.50/- 0.10) (control). In the study group, however, a higher loss of binocular corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was found: 23.5 %, 70.6 %, 5.9 % (0, - 1, - 2 lines) (study) versus 35.3 %, 64.7 % and 0 %, respectively (control). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the reduced CDVA INTRACOR should initially only be performed in the non-dominant eye. In selected cases binocular treatment can improve DCNVA; however, careful risk-benefit assessment and informed consent are necessary.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of bilateral intrastromal femtosecond laser correction of presbyopia (INTRACOR). METHODS: In a prospective study 17 patients were enrolled who had previously received binocular treatment in a two-step approach. Postoperative (4-8 months) outcomes were compared with a matched control group who had undergone only unilateral surgery of the non-dominant eye (n = 17 patients, 24 months after surgery). RESULTS: The binocular distance corrected near visual acuity (DCNVA) showed the same median but lower scattering of values after bilateral treatment: 0.10 (median in logMAR) (0.30/- 0.10 min/max) (study) versus 0.10 (0.50/- 0.10) (control). In the study group, however, a higher loss of binocular corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was found: 23.5 %, 70.6 %, 5.9 % (0, - 1, - 2 lines) (study) versus 35.3 %, 64.7 % and 0 %, respectively (control). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding the reduced CDVA INTRACOR should initially only be performed in the non-dominant eye. In selected cases binocular treatment can improve DCNVA; however, careful risk-benefit assessment and informed consent are necessary.