A New Approach In Assessment Of Photoprotective Properties Of Cornea In Lazer Keratofraction Surgery

A new approach to the evaluation of photoprotective properties of the cornea has been proposed for the first time. The approach is based on the determination of the thickness of cornea at the center of the optical zone and epithelium, Bowman's layer and stroma separately and subsequent analysis of their contribution to photoprotective function. Photoprotective indices have been calculated and analyzed according to changes of the cornea thickness compared with indicators of healthy emmetropic eyes. The number of analyzed indices is established by the specific technology of ultrasonic or optical keratopachimetry. Spectral OCT of high resolution has an apparent advantage. The importance of the thickness of the front epithelium and Bowman's layer for photoprotection was taken into account, since the mentioned structures absorb 4-7 times more UV radiation