First 10 Cases with 150 kHz Intralase Enabled Keratoplasty (IEK) Compared to Standard Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) Christopher L. Blanton, M.D. Financial Disclosure: Research Funding and Travel Sponsored by Abbott Medical Optics
Purpose To compare outcomes between: 1) 150 kHz intralase enabled keratoplasty and 2) Standard keratoplasty with metal trephines
Methods Ten eyes underwent IEK using 150 kHz femtosecond technology using the “zig-zag” trephination pattern. Thirteen eyes also underwent standard full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty using metal trephines. Identical single 20 to 24-bite running suture technique was used in all cases. Comparisons were made at the 3 month interval regarding: Manifest refraction UCVA BCVA Refractive Cylinder Topographic Cylinder
Results- Post-op Manifest refraction @ 3 months Average Spherical Equivalent IEK: +1.7D (n=5) Standard PK:-3.83D (n=6) (P=.006)-significant
BCVA at Month 3 P=.023 P=.027
UCVA at Month 3
Results: Astigmatism @ 3 months Average Refractive Cylinder IEK:3.9D (n=5) PK:5.625D (n=6) P=.095 Average Topographic Cylinder: IEK:5.71D (n=5) PK: 10.01D (n=7) P=.180
Discussion Lessons learned regarding this technique: The 150 kHZ femtosecond laser provides substantially faster host incision times than 60 kHZ femtosecond laser by an approximate factor of 2.5 Early results (first 3 cases) using same size host:donor buttons in IEK patients resulted in two visually insignificant wound leaks. We converted to 8.0:8.2 mm and 8.0:8.3mm host :donor ratios for remaining cases. Small sample size points to need for more study
Conclusion: At 3 months, IEK patients had better UCVA, and statistically significant BCVA. At 3 months, IEK patients had lower levels of both refractive and topographically induced cylinder. IEK provides faster and better visual rehabilitation in corneal transplant patients.