First Author: S.Serrao ITALY
Co Author(s): G. Lombardo D. Schiano Lomoriello G. Ducoli M. Rosati P. Ducoli M. Lombardo
Purpose:
To analyze the interface quality of the anterior stroma after femtosecond (FS) laser flap creation using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM).
Setting:
Fondazione G.B. Bietti IRCCS, Rome, Italy
Methods:
A 110 µm depth flap was created in twenty human corneal tissues using a FS laser platform (Intralase iFS, Abbott Medical Optics). Tissues were divided into four groups of various cutting parameters: pulse energy and spot separation were respectively 1) 0.75 µJ and 6 µm, 2) 0.65 µJ and 5 µm, 3) 0.55 µJ and 4 µm and 4) 0.45 µJ and 4 µm. Four more tissues were cut using a motorized microkeratome (Hansatome, Bausch & Lomb). AFM (Autoprobe CP, Veeco) analysis was performed on the stromal bed of each sample.
Results:
The corneal tissues treated with higher pulse energies and wider spot separations (groups 1 and 2) showed a rougher stromal bed interface (RMS rough: 0.23 ± 0.008 µm and 0.24 ± 0.009 respectively) than tissues of groups 3 and 4 (RMS rough: 0.18 ± 0.006 µm and 0.18 ± 0.008 µm respectively; ANOVA: P<0.001). The stromal surface quality of tissues treated with pulse energies of 0.55µJ or lower and 4 µm spot separation compared favourably with that cut by the microkeratome (RMS rough = 0.17 ± 0.006 µm; Tukey: P>0.05).
Conclusions:
The FS stromal interface quality was improved setting pulse energy lower and spot separations narrower than those currently used in the clinical setting. FS laser could provide a flap interface smoothness comparable to that provided by the microkeratome. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No
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