"Top hat"-shaped penetrating keratoplasty using the femtosecond laser.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility of using a modified femtosecond laser to perform penetrating corneal resections.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Fourteen corneoscleral rims were mounted on an artificial anterior chamber. Eight underwent traditional penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and six underwent "top hat"-shaped PKP using a femtosecond laser. Wound leakage pressure and induced astigmatism were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
Deep corneal resection with the femtosecond laser was feasible. Wound leakage occurred at 38 +/- 11 mm Hg in the traditional PKP eyes and at 240 +/- 69 mm Hg in the laser-shaped PKP groups. Initial induced astigmatism was 3.76 +/- 0.82 diopters and 3.46 +/- 1.36 diopters in the traditional and shaped PKP groups, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Shaped PKP using the femtosecond laser is feasible and provides superior incision integrity compared to traditional PKP. Initial induced astigmatism is dominated by suture effects.
Steinert
Roger F
RF
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California Irvine, California 92697, USA. steinert@uci.edu <steinert@uci.edu>
Ignacio
Teresa S
TS
Sarayba
Melvin A
MA
D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000378:metabolism; D001251:Astigmatism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019781:Corneal Topography; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000379:methods*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000503:physiopathology; D013536:Suture Techniques