Penetrating keratoplasty using femtosecond laser.

PURPOSE: To evaluate femtosecond laser technology for penetrating keratoplasty in patients with various corneal diseases.

DESIGN

Interventional case series.

METHODS

Five patients aged 45 to 81 years underwent penetrating keratoplasty using the 20/10 Perfect Vision Femtec femtosecond laser system in September 2005. Patients had granular corneal dystrophy, Fuchs endothelial dystrophy, keratoconus, and herpetic keratitis with endothelial decompensation. Histopathology was performed to analyze the cut quality of donor and recipient cornea.

RESULTS

All procedures were performed without any complications. In all cases, the donor cornea was cut with an 8.0 or 8.1 mm diameter and the recipients' cornea with a 7.8 mm diameter. A complete perforating cut was achieved in all corneas. Histology of donor and recipient specimen showed a straight, smooth cut without any abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONS

Penetrating keratoplasty can be performed with the Femtec femtosecond laser safely and accurately. The postoperative outcome was uneventful.