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CO2 laser annular thermokeratoplasty: a preliminary study
A Chandonnet1, R Bazin, C Sirois
1Institut National d'Optique, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada.
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Annular thermokeratoplasty using a CO2 laser induced stromal collagen contraction to flatten the corneal apex in cadaver eyes. This refractive surgery alternative achieved up to 11.3 diopters of flattening without ablation or incisions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Laser Physics
Background:
- Current refractive surgery techniques carry risks of significant side effects.
- There is a need for novel, safer refractive procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of Annular Thermokeratoplasty (ATK) using a pulsed CO2 laser for corneal reshaping.
- To assess the potential of ATK as a refractive surgery alternative.
Main Methods:
- A pulsed CO2 laser beam was delivered through complementary axicons to create a ring of stromal collagen contraction.
- Experiments were conducted on cadaver eyes using specific irradiances and ring diameters (5.5 mm and 7.0 mm).
Main Results:
- A 5.5 mm ring diameter resulted in substantial corneal apex flattening, achieving up to 11.3 diopters of mean keratometry flattening.
- A 7.0 mm ring diameter showed less significant changes in corneal curvature.
- A 1 mm posterior displacement of the corneal dome was observed without iridocorneal angle closure.
Conclusions:
- Annular thermokeratoplasty (ATK) offers a promising approach for refractive correction by inducing controlled corneal flattening.
- ATK avoids ablation, incisions, and central optical zone interaction, potentially minimizing side effects associated with other refractive procedures.