title: Histological and ultrastructural study of corneal tunnel incisions using diamond and steel keratomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the morphology of corneal tunnel incisions using diamond and steel keratomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Ophthalmology, University of Giessen, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  Corneal tunnel incisions were performed in six human cadaver eyes using three types of diamond keratomes and a steel keratome. The incision profile and morphology were evaluated and compared using light and scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The steel keratome caused more disruption of corneal stromal tissue, while the diamond keratomes produced a more regular, smoother incision. The dissecting incision resulted in a smoother surface of cut stromal tissue than the stab incision.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high quality of corneal tunnel incisions produced with diamond keratomes is the result of their exceptional sharpness, which may have a beneficial effect on wound healing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Jacobi
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Dick
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bohle
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014945:Wound Healing