Related Experiment Videos
Depth predictability of stromal pockets in the posterior cornea
G R Melles1, G W ten Hoope, F J Rietveld
1Cornea Service, Rotterdam Eye Hospital, The Netherlands.
Cornea
|March 31, 1998
Summary
Creating posterior corneal stromal pockets for lamellar keratoplasty is predictable within 30 micrometers of the target depth. Deeper pockets exhibit less depth variation and are reliably measured by intraoperative pachymetry.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Lamellar keratoplasty requires precise dissection of corneal layers.
- Accurate creation of stromal pockets is crucial for successful lamellar corneal button excision.
- Predicting and measuring stromal pocket depth is essential for surgical planning and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the predictability of stromal pocket depth in the posterior cornea.
- To evaluate the accuracy of creating pockets for anterior or posterior lamellar corneal buttons of planned thickness.
Main Methods:
- Stromal corneal pocket dissections were performed in human eye bank eyes.
- Peripheral arcuate keratotomy incisions were made at 60%, 80%, or 95% of central pachymetry.
- Pocket depth was measured immediately post-surgery using pachymetry and light microscopy.
Main Results:
- Achieved pocket depths were within 0.03 mm of the intended depth.
- Depth variation decreased significantly with deeper pockets (95% intended depth showed less variation).
- Pachymetric and histological measurements showed good agreement, improving with deeper pockets.
Conclusions:
- Stromal pockets in the posterior cornea can be created with high depth predictability (within 30 micrometers).
- Deeper pockets demonstrate reduced depth variation, enhancing surgical precision.
- Intraoperative pachymetry is a reliable tool for assessing achieved pocket depth, with accuracy increasing for deeper pockets.