[A semi-automatic electric keratome for lamellar corneal graft (author's transl)]

The demands on the precision of the operative incision are in lamellar keratoplasty much higher as in the total thickness graft. Besides the accurate limitation of the size of the graft, a lamellar dissection must be performed, by which the quality of the dissection must be as high as possible, in order to give an acceptable optical result. The depth of cut must be constant, and, above all, the surface of the cut must be absolutely smooth. A new semi-automatic, electrically-driven keratome with very exact micrometer -- adjustment allows for the first time a continuous cut without changing the direction of movement of the knife. A special construction allows use with the operation microscope, so that the surgeon can follow the whole cutting operation. With many illustrations the new instrument is shown in construction, function, and clinical application.