TY - JOUR
T1 - Free running erbium:YAG laser for nonmechanical trephination in penetrating keratoplasty
T2 - First results of experimental trephination of human donor corneas
AU - Küchle, Michael
AU - Behrens, Ashley
AU - Seitz, Berthold
AU - Langenbucher, Achim
AU - Naumann, Gottfried O.H.
N1 - Funding Information:
Acknowledgements Support for this study was provided by the Bayerische Forschungsstiftung (BFS Grant No. 229/97) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD Scholarship No. 331 4 04 001, Dr. Behrens).
PY - 1999/10
Y1 - 1999/10
N2 - Background: A study was carried out to evaluate the potential suitability of a free-running erbium:YAG 2.94-μm laser for trephina tion of human corneas in penetrating keratoplasty. Methods: Two human donor corneas were placed in an artificial anterior chamber and moved with an automated rotation device (one rotation per minute). An erbium:YAG laser beam (pulse duration 400 μs, repetition rate 2/s, energy density 2.5 and 15.0 J/cm2) was focused on the outer edge of a round ceramic mask placed on the human donor corneas for ablation of tissue. Results: With a fluence of 15.0 J/cm2, perforation was achieved after 500 pulses. Perpendicular central cut edges with mild stromal ridges and, by light microscopy, a 12 to 45-μm area of stromal thermal effects and focal endothelial changes up to 200 μm central to trephination were observed. Conclusions: The erbium:YAG laser could be a promising 'low-cost alternative' to the excimer laser for nonmechanical trephination in penetrating keratoplasty. Further studies will have to focus on reduction of thermal damage and on wound healing.
AB - Background: A study was carried out to evaluate the potential suitability of a free-running erbium:YAG 2.94-μm laser for trephina tion of human corneas in penetrating keratoplasty. Methods: Two human donor corneas were placed in an artificial anterior chamber and moved with an automated rotation device (one rotation per minute). An erbium:YAG laser beam (pulse duration 400 μs, repetition rate 2/s, energy density 2.5 and 15.0 J/cm2) was focused on the outer edge of a round ceramic mask placed on the human donor corneas for ablation of tissue. Results: With a fluence of 15.0 J/cm2, perforation was achieved after 500 pulses. Perpendicular central cut edges with mild stromal ridges and, by light microscopy, a 12 to 45-μm area of stromal thermal effects and focal endothelial changes up to 200 μm central to trephination were observed. Conclusions: The erbium:YAG laser could be a promising 'low-cost alternative' to the excimer laser for nonmechanical trephination in penetrating keratoplasty. Further studies will have to focus on reduction of thermal damage and on wound healing.
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U2 - 10.1007/s004170050326
DO - 10.1007/s004170050326
M3 - Article
C2 - 10502064
AN - SCOPUS:0345466323
VL - 237
SP - 875
EP - 877
JO - Albrecht von Graefes Archiv für Klinische und Experimentelle Ophthalmologie
JF - Albrecht von Graefes Archiv für Klinische und Experimentelle Ophthalmologie
SN - 0721-832X
IS - 10
ER -