Laser photocoagulation of feeder vessels in lipid keratopathy

Argon laser photocoagulation was performed on rabbit eyes with lipid keratopathy. The lipid keratopathy was induced by rendering 30 rabbits hypercholesterolemic and inciting neovascularization by insertion of corneal sutures. The number of laser shots required to occlude corneal vessels increased with the suture residence time, whereas the number of limbal shots remained essentially constant. Corneal opacification and cholesterol content increased as a result of greater suture residence time and unexpectedly from the laser applications which were administered in a single treatment session.