[Two different intra-corneal inlay surgical technique in rabbit eyes]

To compare two different surgical techniques of intracorneal lens implantation. To determine the incidence of corneal and lens complications in two groups of rabbits subjected to such surgery.

The first group (7 rabbits) initially had a keratectomy performed with the microkeratome following which the corneal flap was sutured to the stromal layer. In the second group (7 rabbits), a pocket-shaped stromal dissection was performed manually. Both groups of rabbits had a secondary lens implantation in the corneal inlay. The follow up period was of 2 months duration.

The incidence of corneal edema in the first month was higher in group 1 (71.4%) than in group 2 (14.3%) (p = 0.0155); during the second month, the incidence was 42.9% in group 1 and 28.6% in group 2 (p= 0.2927). Flap dislocation and retraction of the flap was seen in 4 of the 7 rabbits in group 1, whereas no complication of this type was observed in the manual pocket group (group 2). The incidence of lens subluxation was 28.6% in group 1 and 0% in group 2. Finally, there was a 71.4% (5/7) loss of the intracorneal lens in the rabbits treated with the microkeratome (group 1) while only 1 of 7 rabbits (14.3%) lost the lens in group 2 (P = 0.0155).

Eyes in which the corneal pocket shape was made by manual stromal dissection had a higher stability of the lens and less post-operative corneal complications.