Femtosecond laser-assisted mushroom configuration deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To review patient outcomes after femtosecond laser-assisted mushroom configuration deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty.


METHODS
Seven eyes of seven patients with a mean age of 30 years underwent femtosecond laser-assisted mushroom configuration deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty from April 2008 to September 2008. Patients had keratoconus, corneal ectasia or scarring. Set for 100 mum of residual cornea, the femtosecond laser was used to create a mushroom-shaped recipient bed and donor button (having a larger anterior than posterior diameter). The posterior central lamella was manually dissected using Melles technique.


RESULTS
Mean follow up was 4 months (range, 3-6.5 months). Preoperative mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/95 (range, 20/40-20/400). Intraoperative complications included two cases (28.6%) of small Descemet membrane perforation. Postoperatively, there was one case of stromal rejection that resolved with topical steroids and two cases of steroid-related intraocular pressure rise that were treated with a prostaglandin analog. At 3 months, mean best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 (range, 20/25-20/60), mean spherical equivalent refraction was -3.21 D (range, -6.75 D to plano), mean cylindrical refractive error was 3.57 D (range, 1.5-7 D), and mean keratometric cylinder measured 5.56 D (range, 3.79-7.00 D). Selective suture removal occurred in six patients (86%) at a mean of 3.8 months (range, 2-6 months) postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary series demonstrates that the use of the femtosecond laser to perform corneal cuts in a mushroom configuration for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty is feasible. The mechanical stability and wound healing advantages for stepped corneal wounds should be considered in lamellar surgery.
Chan
Clara C
CC
Toronto Western Hospital, Department of Ophthalmology, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. clara.chan@gmail.com
Ritenour
Rusty J
RJ
Kumar
Nikhil L
NL
Sansanayudh
Wiwan
W
Rootman
David S
DS
D000328:Adult; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult