Intrastromal photorefractive keratectomy with a new optically coupled laser probe

Intrastromal photorefractive keratectomy is a new procedure in which compact linear or area regions of the corneal stroma can be vacuolized, yielding changes in corneal curvature.

Diffraction-limited 1064-nanometer light pulses from a high rep rate Q-switched Nd-YAG laser were coupled through novel means into a probe with index-matched optical contact with the cornea. The resulting extremely reduced focal region initiated a plasma point that was free of shock front effects where tissue was reduced to liquid. This probe process was applied to the corneas of eye-bank eyes, and to living rabbit and primate eyes. The refractive effects were evaluated with slit-lamp microscopy, keratoscopy light and electron microscopy.

Refractive effects similar to refractive keratotomy were observed immediately after treatment. Intrastromal highly localized vacuolized regions were observed at the depth of focus with variability of only 20 microns. The plasma point vacuoles were about 100 microns in diameter. Stromal material that occupied the vacuole space appeared completely reduced to liquid. The transition region between vacuole and normal tissue was less than 0.5 microns. The treatment vacuoles disappeared to the unaided eye 24 to 48 hours after treatment.

Corneal refractive power can be achieved with intrastromal keratectomy.