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Iowa PK Press for donor corneas--a comparative study of donor corneal shape
M P Vrabec1, J H Krachmer, G J Florakis
1Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), University of Vermont College of Medicine.
Background:
A new cornea press for cutting donor corneal buttons from the endothelial side, the Iowa PK Press, is described. Major modifications of the Bourne Press include a spring-activated piston without lateral sway, a centering device for a Teflon cutting pad, and the ability to accommodate a wider range of trephine sizes (6.2 mm to 10.0 mm).
Methods:
The Iowa PK Press was compared with the Bourne Corneal Press and trephination by hand in a series of 15 donor cornea trephinations. Measurements taken from photographs of the buttons included endothelial diameter, epithelial diameter, and edge angles.
Results:
The Iowa PK press cut buttons that had a slightly larger epithelial and endothelial diameter when compared to hand trephination (p < .05, analysis of variance) with less undercutting of the endothelial surface. There was no statistically significant difference in epithelial and endothelial diameters, eccentricity, or edge angles between the two presses.
Conclusions:
The Iowa PK Press is more versatile than the Bourne Press in terms of the potential range of diameter of corneal buttons that can be created.