Atomic force microscopy in ophthalmic surgery

Refractive errors are some of the most common ophthalmic abnormalities. The introduction of excimer laser technology in refractive corneal surgery aims to eliminate all or the major part of the first corneal surface optical aberrations through the modelling of the corneal surface. Among the main causes of post-operative aberrations are the new corneal profile created by laser and the roughness of the treated surface. It is mandatory for an optimal surgical outcome that the treated surface be as similar as possible to the natural architecture of the cornea. The aim of this study is to evaluate the corneal topography before and after the laser treatment by means of atomic force microscopy.