Orientation teeth in nonmechanical femtosecond laser corneal trephination for penetrating keratoplasty.

PURPOSE: To evaluate femtosecond laser-assisted corneal full-thickness trephination with orientation teeth and notches for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP).

DESIGN

Interventional case series.

METHODS

Four eyes of four patients aged 34 to 55 years underwent PKP using a femtosecond laser system enabling corneal trephination with orientation teeth and notches. Patients were affected by advanced keratoconus (n = 2) or postinfectious corneal scar (n = 2). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed to evaluate the cut quality of donor and recipient cornea.

RESULTS

All procedures were completed without any complications. In all cases, the donor and the recipient cornea were cut with the same size of 8.0-mm diameter. A complete perforating cut was achieved in all eyes, and a correct intraoperative matching of teeth and notches was obtained. SEM of donor and recipient specimens showed a full-thickness cut with smooth and regular shape of orientation teeth and notches.

CONCLUSIONS

Orientation teeth and notches shaped PKP using the femtosecond laser technology is feasible and may offer further promising approaches toward customized trephination techniques.