Interlamellar refractive keratoplasty in rabbits.

The suitability and effectiveness of hydrophilic soft contact lenses and donor corneal buttons for interlamellar refractive keratoplasty were evaluated in a study with rabbits. In each experimental eye a trephined button of Bausch & Lomb Soflens (polymacon), Cooper Permalens (perfilcon A) or rabbit cornea 6.5 mm in diameter was inserted in a corneal pocket created with a lamellar dissector. Among the inserts available for long-term follow-up all five of the Soflens inserts showed "melting" (perforation and sloughing) by 3 weeks, whereas six of the seven Permalens inserts and all four of the donor corneal inserts were clear at 3 to 6 months. Myopia was induced and the corneal curvature steepened with all but the high-minus Soflens inserts. Thus, interlamellar refractive keratoplasty with soft contact lenses of high water content or lathe-cut donor corneal buttons has potential for the correction of aphakia in rabbits and may well have similar potential in humans.