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Preliminary results of a new standardized technique of femtosecond laser-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in patients with keratoconus

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First Author: V.Scorcia ITALY

Co Author(s):    A. Lucisano   G. Scuteri   M. Soda   G. Giannaccare           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To describe the rate of big bubble (BB) formation using a new standardized technique of femtosecond laser (FL) assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) performed in keratoconus (KC) patients.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, University Magna Græcia (Catanzaro, Italy).

Methods:

Consecutive KC patients undergoing FL-DALK from October 2019 to January 2020 were included. A deep 9.0 mm circular stromal cut was performed on the recipient bed by FL (VICTUS, Bausch&Lomb), aiming at leaving a residual stromal bed of approximately 80 μm. A tangential dissection (1 mm in width x 3 mm in length) was created with the FL in the superior sector deeply in the stroma (about 50 μm above the endothelium). This plane was used as a reference for introducing the cannula for air injection. The main outcomes were BB formation success rate and intraoperative complication rate.

Results:

Ten KC patients underwent FL-DALK during the study period (6 males; 4 females; mean age 35,44 ± 14,36 years). In all cases, surgery was completed uneventfully. Pneumatic dissection succeeded in all eyes (100%) obtaining a bubble of type 1. No macro/microperforations occurred.

Conclusions:

Preliminary results of this standardized technique of FL-DALK allowed BB formation in the totality of KC eyes without any intraoperative complication.

Financial Disclosure:

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