Excimer laser lamellar keratoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a procedure using the excimer laser to perform lamellar keratoplasty to treat deep corneal scars in the central optical zone. To determine if excimer laser can safely prepare a smooth surface for the host bed and the donor button, assess the interface opacity and evaluate the effects of the ablation on the recipient's endothelial surface with the deeper ablation.


METHODS
Nineteen rabbits underwent an excimer laser lamellar keratoplasty in one eye. The rabbits were followed for 9 to 12 weeks until they were sacrificed.


RESULTS
Little opacity developed at the graft-host interface and scanning electron microscopy of the endothelial surface showed little difference between the treated and untreated areas or the endothelium of the untreated eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the use of the excimer laser to treat corneas with deep stromal scars and normal endothelium is feasible. However, we have not proved that this technique will give a better result than conventional lamellar dissection methods.
University of Melbourne Department of Ophthalmology, Australia.
D B
DB
Cano
N A
NA
Downie
I M
IM
Young
N
N
Carroll
G R
GR
Pollock
H R
HR
Taylor
D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011817:Rabbits