Experimental imaging of intracorneal ring segments with optical coherence tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the imaging of corneal structures with optical coherence tomography (OCT) after implantation of intracorneal ring segments (ICRS).


METHODS
In an experimental study with six porcine eyes, qualitative and quantitative imaging with corneal OCT using a wavelength of 1310 nm after implantation of ICRS was performed. The optical results were compared with light microscopy of the histological sections.


RESULTS
In corneal OCT, the ICRS revealed marked hyporeflective intrastromal areas, which correlated well with macroscopic and microscopic findings. Corneal OCT enabled precise images of the incision depth for the implantation of ICRS, and the exact intrastromal segment position.


CONCLUSIONS
Noncontact slit lamp-adapted corneal optical coherence tomography could be employed to clinically monitor corneal changes after implantation of ICRS, evaluate the depth of the segments to correlate refractive changes, and quantify the stromal wound healing response.
Wirbelauer
Christopher
C
Klinik für Augenheilkunde, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Berlin, Germany. knk.augen@vivantes.de
Winkler
Jörg
J
Scholz
Christian
C
Häberle
Heike
H
Pham
Duy Thoai
DT
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D007368:Interferometry / Q000379:methods; D007640:Keratoconus / Q000601:surgery; D008027:Light; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D013552:Swine; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods; D014945:Wound Healing
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate