Excimer laser corneal ablation: Absence of a significant “incubation” effect

Abstract

Pulse-to-pulse consistency of excimer laser etching of cornea has been examined via two noncontact techniques: photoacoustic probe beam deflection, and time-resolved excimer pulse reflectometry. These methods clearly document the incubation phenomenon accompanying excimer laser ablation of polymethylmethacrylate and the absence of the effect during polyimide ablation. In comparison, results for corneal ablation indicate consistent tissue etching over a train of pulses. Consequently, incubation appears to have negligible impact on corneal ablation.