Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To present a new procedure for performing sutureless lamellar keratoplasty. Methods: Two patient eyes underwent lamellar keratoplasty. The procedure involved production of lamellar grafts from eye bank whole globes, using a Moria CB microkeratome. Using a human fibrin based tissue adhesive, the new lamellar grafts were affixed to the host bed. The lamellar grafts were examined at post-operative days 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60 via slit lamp examination and serial photographs. Results: The lamellar corneal grafts were fully epithelialized in 5 days. The fibrin-based adhesive had resorbed by the second week post-op examination and the best corrected visual acuity was improved in each eye. Previous histologic examination of specimens from animal studies revealed no associated inflammation or fibrosis. Conclusions: Sutureless lamellar keratoplasty is a promising new procedure using a human fibrin based tissue adhesive. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term viability of this new procedure.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • refractive surgery • refractive surgery: other technologies