New York LASIK Surgeon Mark Speaker, M.D., Ph.D.
Coauthors Corneal Topography & Ectasia Risk Factor Analysis

Mark Speaker, M.D., Ph.D. is a Corneal Specialist and LASIK Surgeon in New York at Laser and Corneal Surgery Associates in Manhattan. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the fields of corneal and refractive surgery including LASIK and Corneal Transplantation through his efforts in patient care, research and ongoing physician education. Dr. Speaker, along with coauthors Drs. Nilforoushan, Marmor, Abramson, Tullo, Morschauser and Latkany published the results of their study ” Comparative Evaluation of Refractive Surgery Candidates with Placido Topography, Orbscan II, Pentacam, and Wavefront Analysis” in the April 2008 Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Abstract of Study and Publication

PURPOSE: To study the role of the Pentacam (Oculus), Orbscan II (Bausch & Lomb), and WaveScan (Visx) in evaluating topographic features identified as risk factors for ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis to identify parameters that may be important in interpreting elevation topography and wavefront data when screening refractive surgery candidates.

SETTING: Private Practice, New York, New York, USA.

METHODS: One hundred forty-five eyes of 75 consecutive patients were evaluated for refractive surgery by ultrasound pachymetry (Humphrey Atlas), videokeratography, WaveScan, Orbscan II, and Pentacam. Eyes were classified as normal or suspect based on the Rabinowitz criteria for keratoconus suspect on Placido disk-based videokeratography. Forty-six parameters were evaluated in a comparison of topographically normal eyes and eyes that met the criteria for keratoconus suspect.

RESULTS: The suspect group had thinner pachymetry, multiple distinguishing characteristics on the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces by elevation topography, and larger amounts of coma by wavefront analysis. Multivariable regression analysis identified the following as the strongest predictors of a suspect Placido topography: Pentacam, thinner pachymetry and larger differences between the highest and lowest points on the posterior elevation; Orbscan II, higher anterior maximum elevation, horizontal location of the thinnest point on the pachymetry map, and larger differences between the highest and lowest points on the posterior elevation.

CONCLUSION: Several parameters provided by the Pentacam, Orbscan II, WaveScan, and pachymetry were statistically correlated with keratoconus suspect, defined by higher asymmetry and steeper curvature on Placido topography.

About Mark Speaker, M.D., Ph.D.

Mark Speaker, M.D. received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed his residency in Ophthalmology at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in Manhattan where he served as the Chief Resident. In addition he completed a Fellowship in Corneal and Refractive Surgery at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. He has served as the Director of the Cornea Service and Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Cornea Society, the Program Committee of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and has received the Honor Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is currently Medical Director of TLC Laser Eye Centers Manhattan. In addition, he is the author of numerous articles and publications in the areas of Corneal Disease, Cornea Transplants, LASIK and Ocular Surface Disease including Dry Eyes and Dry Eye Syndrome.