New technique for corneal cross-linking of thin corneas using custom shaped contact lens spacers

Session Details

Session Title: Cross-Linking

Session Date/Time: Sunday 11/09/2016 | 08:00-09:30

Paper Time: 08:26

Venue: Auditorium A

First Author: : J.Stevens UK

Co Author(s): :    A. Manta   A. Day                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To enable maximum safe depth corneal cross-linking using a custom contact lens which has undergone excimer laser custom ablation to thin the lens to the desired level over differing regions of the cornea.

Setting:

Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK

Methods:

Detailed Fourier-Domain OCT imaging of thin corneas for corneal cross-linking were taken and regional pachymmetry was determined. A B&L Soflens(TM) with no UV filter was taken and the lens was subjected to excimer laser ablation to regionally thin the lens to the desired pachymmetry to enable optimal corneal cross-linking. Twenty contact lenses were subjected to defined excimer ablation patterns to determine the ablation rate of the lens material with a VISX Star S4IR excimer laser and this was used to then ablate a lens to enable treatment.

Results:

OCT imaging of the cornea with the custom shaped lens in situ confirmed the corneal pachymmetry and cornea cross-linking was performed. Post-op OCT imaging confirmed the depth of cross-linking achieved was parallel to the posterior surface, which would have been unobtainable by conventional means.

Conclusions:

This new technique has the potential to enable optimal corneal cross-linking for thin or irregular corneas.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE