title: Laser welding of synthetic epikeratoplasty lenticules to the cornea.
abstract: We used a milliwatt continuous wave CO2 laser mounted on an operating microscope to study the feasibility of welding synthetic collagen epikeratoplasty lenticules to the cornea. In vitro studies and experimentation in rabbits and monkeys showed no welding effects using direct laser radiation with powers ranging from 17 mW to 1 W. Only tissue shrinkage was observed. Experiments using various adjunctive solders produced a temporary welding effect using 30% bovine serum albumin welded with a power of 35-45 mW, 325 microns spot size, moving the beam 5 mm/sec. The lenticules remained in place until the 4th postoperative day when epithelium grew underneath the lenticule, dislodging it. Histopathologic examination demonstrated epithelial migration over the solder displacing the epikeratoplasty lenticule and anterior stromal denaturization and disruption.
authors.affiliation: Yerkes Regional Primate Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Gailitis
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Q S
authors.initials: QS
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: G O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Waring
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D014014:Tissue Adhesives
chemical_list: D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D003094:Collagen