title: Epikeratophakia for high myopia.
abstract: A cryo-technique for production of corneal epi-lenses has been developed. During the manufacturing procedure the anterior surface of the tissue is moulded and the posterior surface cut with a microtome. After cutting, the epi-lenses are stored for days to weeks in an organ culture medium. Twelve eyes in 10 patients have been treated with epikeratophakia for high myopia (greater than -7 D). In all eyes, epithelialization was complete within one week, and at follow-up 3-18 months after the operation all epi-lenses were clear. The average refractive change in spherical equivalents was 9.7 +/- 4.4 D. All eyes obtained better uncorrected visual acuity, and no eyes lost more than one line of the best corrected visual acuity. At the time of follow-up, the patients' native cornea had regained normal hydration, whereas the epi-lenses did not thin as much as expected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Arhus University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Hjortdal
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ehlers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012029:Refraction, Ocular; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media