Novel sutureless keratoplasty with a chemically defined bioadhesive

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Corneal transplantation is a common procedure to restore vision.
• Traditional suture-based techniques can lead to complications like inflammation and scarring.
• Novel methods for graft fixation are needed to improve outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sutureless keratoplasty using a chemically-defined bioadhesive (CDB).
• To assess graft attachment, epithelialization, and corneal clarity in a rabbit model.
• To investigate the biocompatibility and tissue integration of the CDB.

Main Methods:

• Sutureless automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty (ALTK) was performed on rabbit eyes using a CDB.
• Allogenic lamellar grafts were attached using either sutures or the CDB.
• Corneal clarity, epithelialization, histology, and immunohistochemistry were analyzed post-operation.

Main Results:

• Successful sutureless keratoplasty was achieved with rapid graft epithelialization within 7 days.
• Grafts remained clear, attached, and showed no inflammatory or scarring changes at 90 days.
• Immunohistochemistry confirmed normal epithelial cell expression patterns.

Conclusions:

• Sutureless keratoplasty with CDB is a safe, easy-to-perform technique with reliable graft attachment.
• The CDB shows no toxic effects and eliminates risks of disease transmission.
• CDB holds promise for various corneal procedures, including lamellar and posterior keratoplasty.