Corneal welding with the hydrogen fluoride laser

John M. Williams M.D.; Neal L. Burstein; Michael J. Nowicki; William Q. Jeffers

doi:10.1117/12.178555

23 June 1994 Corneal welding with the hydrogen fluoride laser

John M. Williams M.D., Neal L. Burstein, Michael J. Nowicki, William Q. Jeffers

Proceedings Volume 2126, Ophthalmic Technologies IV; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.178555
Event: OE/LASE '94, 1994, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

Our current study has looked at the use of a CW hydrogen fluoride laser to weld human cadaver corneas. The laser used was a Helios CL-II laser operating from 2.3 to 2.6 micrometers . A 6-mm full thickness linear incision was made in the center of the cornea. Two 10-0 nylon sutures were placed to hold the corneal stromal edges apposed during welding. Each specimen was mounted on a motorized micrometer stage. The beam was passed over the incision at a rate of between 0.5-2.0 mm per minute. After welding, the specimens were tested for wound strength by increasing intraocular pressure until the wound leaked. Two eyes had corneal welds performed and pressures of up to twice baseline intraocular pressure could be sustained after the stay sutures were removed. Light and electron microscopy demonstrated full thickness welds to be present. Electron micrographic sections demonstrated apparent interdigitation of collagen fibers between adjacent lamellae. Tissue welding may become an alternate means of wound closure in eye surgery.

Citation Download Citation

John M. Williams M.D., Neal L. Burstein, Michael J. Nowicki, and William Q. Jeffers "Corneal welding with the hydrogen fluoride laser", Proc. SPIE 2126, Ophthalmic Technologies IV, (23 June 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.178555

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