Mathematical Modeling in Eye Surgery

Laser refractive surgery for the correction of vision defects has become very popular. The probability of a successful intervention increases with the reliability of the sophisticated surgical instruments and the availability of accurate nomograms. In spite of such advances, the support of predictive tools based on numerical models of the eye can be very useful to the surgeon for corneas characterized by topography anomalies and irregularities. A sound numerical model of the cornea allows for virtual investigations on the biomechanical and optical behavior of human corneas in physiological and in pathological conditions. A numerical model can provide the quantitative estimate of the changes in the refractive power and in the stress field due to laser refractive corneal surgery. Advanced numerical models reproduce patient specific geometries and account for mechanical properties of the individual, acquiring predictive abilities that may help the surgeon to decide in favor or against intervention in problematic corneas.