Y.-H. Liu

Excimer laser smoothing of endothelial keratoplasty grafts.

Purpose To use excimer laser smoothing passes to reshape Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) endothelial grafts and to evaluate the effect on the donor endothelium. Methods The stromal surface of microkeratome-cut DSAEK grafts was smoothed using excimer laser smoothing passes with masking fluid. Excimer laser hyperopic ablation was used to improve the uniformity of graft thickness within the optical zone. Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography was used to measure endothelial graft pachymetry, plan ablations, and evaluate donor contour. Vital dye staining was performed to assess endothelial cell damage. Scanning electron microscopy images of stromal surfaces were graded on a 5-point scale by masked observers to evaluate surface roughness. Results Four grafts underwent excimer laser smoothing. Vital dye staining showed no endothelial damage. Microkeratome-cut surfaces treated with laser smoothing (mean grade = 2.04) were smoother than nonsmoothed microkeratome-cut surfaces (mean grade = 4.07; P < 0.01), surfaces that underwent dry laser ablation (mean grade = 3.63; P < 0.01) and manually dissected interfaces (mean grade = 4.75; P < 0.0001). No difference was observed between stromal beds created by peeling Descemet membrane (mean grade = 1.64) compared with surfaces produced by microkeratome cutting followed by laser smoothing (mean grade = 2.04; P = 0.14). One graft underwent combined excimer smoothing and peripheral hyperopic ablation. The center–periphery thickness difference was 15 &mgr;m before ablation and 4 &mgr;m afterward. Conclusions Laser smoothing passes can be used to improve the contour and smoothness of DSAEK grafts without damaging donor endothelial cells. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether reshaping donors using excimer laser can deliver improved visual outcomes after DSAEK.

Dual laser-assisted lamellar anterior keratoplasty with top hat graft: a laboratory study.

Objectives: To develop a dual laser-assisted lamellar anterior keratoplasty (LALAK) technique, using excimer and femtosecond lasers to perform surgery on eye bank eyes. Methods: First, we compared corneal stromal surfaces produced by (1) deep excimer ablation, (2) femtosecond lamellar cuts, and (3) manual dissection and evaluated the effect of excimer laser smoothing with fluid masking on each surface. Masked observers graded scanning electron microscopy images on a 5-point roughness scale. Then, we performed a 6-mm diameter excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy ablation to a residual bed thickness of 200 &mgr;m, followed by laser smoothing. We used the femtosecond laser to cut donors in a modified top hat design with a thin tapered brim, which fitted into a manually dissected circumferential pocket at the base of the recipient bed. Fourier domain optical coherence tomography was used to measure corneal pachymetry and evaluate graft fit. Results: Deep excimer ablation with smoothing (n = 4) produced a significantly (P < 0.05) smoother surface (grade = 3.5) than deep excimer alone (n = 4, grade = 3.8) or manual dissection with (n = 1, grade = 3.8) and without smoothing (n = 1, grade = 4.8). Deep femtosecond cuts (n = 2) produced macroscopic concentric ridges on the stromal surface. Experimental LALAK was performed on 4 recipients prepared by deep excimer ablation and 4 donors cut with the femtosecond laser. After suturing, good peripheral graft-host match was observed on Fourier domain optical coherence tomography imaging. Conclusion: These preliminary studies show that the LALAK technique permits improved interface smoothness and graft edge matching. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether these improvements can translate to better vision.