Dear editor
It is encouraging to see the results in the article by Kanellopoulos “Topography-modified refraction (TMR): adjustment of treated cylinder amount and axis to the topography versus standard clinical refraction in myopic topography-guided LASIK”,Citation1 where the combination of refractive and corneal data in the treatment parameters provide better outcomes than treatment by optimal subjective refraction.
What is disappointing in the paper by Kanellopoulos is the omission in the reference list of the source references that first introduced and subsequently described treatment of patients with combined topography and refraction parameters.Citation2–Citation4 The omission of these references whether unintentional or deliberate has left Dr Kanellopoulos to make the false claim that his technique is “novel”.
As Dupps described in his editorial in JCRS in Sep 2008Citation5 the omission of source references “can distort the field by remapping key contributions inaccurately”. Using my own work as an example, which is reinforced by Dr Kanellopoulos’ erroneous claim of novelty, “this challenging issue can be addressed through errata and correspondence” as we are here, “but once in the literature such errors are prone to propagation”.Citation5
I ask Dr Kanellopoulos to update his reference list and modify his claims. The readers need to be informed of the origins of the method he used.
Disclosure
Dr Alpins has a financial interest in the ASSORT Surgical Management Systems used in the surgical planning and analysis of astigmatism.
References
- KanellopoulosAJTopography-modified refraction (TMR): adjustment of treated cylinder amount and axis to the topography versus standard clinical refraction in myopic topography-guided LASIKClin Ophthalmol2016102213222127843292
- AlpinsNANew method of targeting vectors to treat astigmatismJ Cataract Refract Surg19972365759100110
- AlpinsNAStamatelatosGCustomized photoastigmatic refractive keratectomy using combined topographic and refractive data for myopia and astigmatism in eyes with forme fruste and mild keratoconusJ Cataract Refract Surg20073359160217397730
- AlpinsNAStamatelatosGClinical Outcomes for laser in situ keratomileusis using combined topography and refractive wavefront treatments for myopic astigmatismJ Cataract Refract Surg2008341250125918655973
- DuppsWJImpact of citation practices: beyond journal impact factorsJ Cataract Refract Surg2008341419142118721687