Photoablative inlay laser in situ keratomileusis (PAI-LASIK) in the rabbit model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the suitability, biocompatibility, and efficacy of a proprietary hydrogel photoablative inlay (PAI) for use during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).


METHODS
Laboratory study, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.


METHODS
Eight rabbits (1 eye each) underwent the PAI-LASIK procedure; 4 eyes had a disk-shaped inlay and 4, a donut-shaped inlay. Preoperatively, the hydrogel material was ablated with a programmed correction of 5.0 diopters of hyperopia or myopia.


RESULTS
The eyes were followed for 1 to 16 months. No eye showed signs of rejection or extrusion of the PAI. There was no significant difference in corneal clarity or the healing rate between eyes with donut-shaped PAIs and those with disk-shaped PAIs. One eye with a donut-shaped PAI had minimal corneal haze. The remaining inlays did not opacify or fracture during ablation.


CONCLUSIONS
The hydrogel material can be used for the proposed PAI-LASIK procedure.
Peyman
Gholam A
GA
Department of Ophthalmology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112-2699, USA.
Beyer
Craig F
CF
Bezerra
Yanno
Y
Vincent
Jared M
JM
Arosemena
Analisa
A
Friedlander
Miles H
MH
Hoffmann
Laurent
L
Kangeler
John
J
Roussau
Dominique
D
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000633:toxicity; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D051379:Mice; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate