Cutting the cornea with a waterjet keratome.
BACKGROUND
Waterjet cutting is an advanced technology. It consists of a cutting tool that uses a very thin stream of ultra-high-pressure water forced at high velocity through a very small nozzle, creating a very sharp knife. We report on the first experimental use of waterjet technology to reshape the cornea.


METHODS
The system was used in vitro on 10 bovine eyes, and in vivo on 10 albino rabbit eyes. Using the waterjet keratome (Lipshitz-Bass knife, LBK) lamellar corneal incisions were performed. Histological examinations were performed.


RESULTS
A waterjet stream was found to be capable of incising corneas at relatively low energy levels (4000 PSI). Good surface quality could be obtained, and there was no collateral damage to the remaining portion of the cornea, lens, or retina. In the in vivo experiments, the epithelium healed within 48 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary experiments suggest that waterjet technology can be an effective instrument for reshaping the cornea.
Lipshitz
I
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Ichilov Hospital, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Bass
R
R
Loewenstein
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011312:Pressure; D011817:Rabbits; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water; D014945:Wound Healing
D014867:Water