title: Femtosecond laser keratome creation of partial thickness donor corneal buttons for lamellar keratoplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the thickness and diameter accuracy of the IntraLase femtosecond laser in harvesting corneal discs for lamellar keratoplasty. The stromal bed quality of resected corneas was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two IntraLase units were used to create corneal discs at 225-, 300-, 400-, and 500-microm thickness settings and 7-, 8-, 8.5-, and 9-mm diameter settings (n = 28). Achieved thickness was measured using a digital caliper and achieved diameter was measured using imaging software. Samples were preserved and processed for scanning electron microscopy to observe stromal bed quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On both units, the mean deviation from attempted thickness was -9.5 +/- 8.6 microm (range: +6 to -28 microm). All of the obtained corneal discs were circular (horizontal versus vertical diameters, P > .05). The raster pattern produced a smoother stromal bed compared to the spiral pattern.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IntraLase femtosecond laser keratome provides depth and diameter accuracy even at increased depth settings. Stromal bed was smooth with the raster pattern and can further be smoothed by excimer phototherapeutic keratectomy treatment. Femtosecond laser lamellar keratoplasty is a promising procedure and clinical data are needed to determine effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: IntraLase Corp, Irvine, USA. msarayba@intralase.com
authors.forename: Melvin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sarayba
authors.forename: Ezra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Maguen
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salz
authors.forename: Yaron
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rabinowitz
authors.forename: Teresa S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Ignacio
mesh_terms: D003315:Cornea / Q000166:cytology* / Q000601:surgery; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000592:standards*; D014019:Tissue Donors