Fig. (4) Computer modeling of an intrastromal electrode. This kind of electrode has two important advantages: 1) the RF power is mainly deposited at the electrode tip (see Joule heat in A), and 2) the low thermal conductivity of the electrode metallic body facilitates the transmission of heat from the electrode tip to the anterior zone (see heat flux in B). Note that the maximum heat flux is located in the electrode, and in contrast, the corneal tissue shows a very low heat flux value. A high thermal gradient therefore appears between the electrode tip and endothelium, which provides thermal protection to the endothelium (see temperature in C). Scales are normalized.