Myopic correction using alloplastic implants in non-human primates--a preliminary report

Hydrogel keratophakia has been studied in a non-primate model in an attempt to develop a more predictable form of myopic refractive surgery. Although the largest potential clinical use for this form of surgery is for the correction of myopia, currently available surgical techniques are not nearly as predictable as non-surgical devices such as spectacles and contact lenses. In this paper, hydrogel lenses, implanted in non-human primate corneas, were used for the first time to flatten the anterior corneal surface as would be required for the correction of myopia. Up to 9 diopters of correction was obtained. Little change in corneal astigmatism was found. The technical aspects of the surgery are quite simple, and the corneas healed rapidly and have excellent clarity. Extensive primate testing will be necessary to determine the accuracy of this procedure before clinical trials should be undertaken.