Abstract
Purpose: :
To study the flap quality of a new a compact, mobile, hand–held femtolaser system for Lasik and corneal surgery on alive human cornea.
Methods: :
A Da Vinci femtolaser (from Surgical Instrument Engineering, a Ziemer Group Company) was used to cut five human corneas before medical indication for enuclation. Macroscopic measurements were done to determine the predictability of the diameter and the thickness of the flap. The hinge size and position were studied. Optical and electronic microscopy analysis were done on the interface surface. Two flaps were not lifted to analyze the microbubles at the cutting level.
Results: :
The procedure was performed easily and the vacuum time about one minute without any complication like suction loss, epithelial defect or button hole. The unique cutting process macroscopically showed a smooth tissue separation that generated minuscule bubbles which disintegrated rapidly when the flap was lifted. It allowed a gentle effortless tissue separation without tissue bridge. The diameter, the thickness and the hinge parameters were predictable. Optical histology confirms some microbubles along the cutting edge, no stromal changes were observed. The electronic microscopy showed a smooth interface bed.
Conclusions: :
Using this very high pulse repetition rate laser we observed a superior cutting characteristic and quality of the flap. A revolutionary design concept allows to perform an easy procedure on a single working position without having to change the microscope after the femtolaser. This new procedure will offer patients and surgeons an all–laser Lasik procedure.
Keywords: laser • refractive surgery • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques