Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the correct parameters for sizing a deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty with the femtosecond laser
Methods: :
The femtosecond laser was programmed to a depth of 400 microns and then using either whole globes or cornea–scleral tissue with a disposable artificial anterior chamber, different size lenticules were programmed, cut, excised and measured.
Results: :
Whole globes cut with the IntraLase were consistently 0.1mm smaller than programmed. Lamellar lenticules cut on the anterior chamber were consistently smaller than the programmed size by either 0.3 or 0.5 mm. The disparities were dependant on the programmed size, with 0.3 mm for sizes between 7.75 and 8.5, and 0.5mm for sizes between 8.5 and 9.5mm.
Conclusions: :
The IntraLase Femtosecond Laser is a very accurate and helpful tool when performing lamellar keratoplasty. It not only adds precision, but it also decreases operative time as well as possibly even post–operative astigmatism. This study offers guidelines for correctly sizing the host and graft interfaces when performing deep anterior lamellar surgery.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques • refractive surgery: other technologies