Superficial corneal effects of experimental nonmechanical penetrating keratoplasty using a Q-switched Er:YAG laser.
OBJECTIVE
To assess thermal effects of Q-switched Er:YAG laser trephination to corneal epithelium and superficial stroma using different mask types and materials for experimental penetrating keratoplasty.


METHODS
Laser trephination was performed in 20 freshly-enucleated porcine eyes (repetition rate 5 Hz, pulse energy 65 mJ, spot size 0.7 mm). We used flat, open-metal and ceramic masks for donor and recipient trephination placed directly onto the corneal surface. Main outcome measures as assessed by light microscopy after PAS staining of 8-microm paraffin sections included: extension of tissue thermal damage at the cut edge in the superficial and basal epithelial layers, the basement membrane and subepithelial stroma, and depth and width of epithelial/stromal involvement in the area of the donor mask contact.


RESULTS
The thermal damage in the superficial epithelium was more pronounced in donor (mean extension 61.6 +/- 15.6 microm) than in recipient (29.4 +/- 24.9 microm, p= 0.05) trephination. In donor trephination, thermal damage zone of the superficial epithelial layer was significantly smaller with ceramic than with metal masks (21.0 +/- 23.0 versus 61.6 +/- 15.6 microm, p= 0.014). In contrast, differences at basal epithelial layer (p= 0.44), basement membrane (p= 0.79), and subepithelial stroma (p= 0.2) were not statistically significant. Superficial donor involvement of the cornea adjacent to the paracentral donor mask contact zone was seen neither with ceramic nor with metal masks.


CONCLUSIONS
Superficial corneal alterations adjacent to the mask-cornea contact zone may be minimized by using the Er:YAG laser in a Q-switched mode. Ceramic masks, in contrast to metal masks, further reduce superficial thermal alterations at the cut edge.
Viestenz
Anja
A
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachenlage 6, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany. anja.viestenz@augen.imed.uni-erlangen.de
Küchle
Michael
M
Seitz
Berthold
B
Langenbucher
Achim
A
Viestenz
Arne
A
Ferreira de Souza
Renate
R
Naumann
Gottfried O H
GO
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D013552:Swine