Needle Depth and Big-Bubble Success in Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty: An Ex Vivo Microscope-Integrated OCT Study.

ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:To examine big-bubble (BB) formation success rates in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) at various corneal depths using real-time guidance from swept-source, microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (SS-MIOCT). METHODS:The DALK procedure was performed ex vivo with 34 human donor corneoscleral buttons on pressurized artificial anterior chambers using the BB technique employed by Anwar and Teichmann. We inserted a needle under controlled ex vivo conditions to corneal depths ranging from 40% to ?90% using real-time guidance from SS-MIOCT and injected air. BB success was then determined for each injection. RESULTS:The average needle depth for successful full BB formation was 79.9% ± 3.0% compared with 66.9% ± 2.6% for partial BB formation and 49.9% ± 3.4% for no BB formation (P < 0.0001). Expressed as stroma below the needle tip, this corresponded to 123.9 ± 20.0 ?m for successful full BB formation compared with 233.7 ± 23.8 ?m for partial BB formation and 316.7 ± 17.3 ?m for no BB formation (P < 0.0001). All other variables tested (sex, race, age, endothelial cell density, air injected, needle angle, and central corneal thickness) did not significantly affect BB formation success rates. CONCLUSIONS:BB formation in DALK is more successful if needle insertion and air injection occur at deeper corneal depth. However, ?90% corneal depth was not necessary in this ex vivo model of DALK. SS-MIOCT can be used to accurately guide the needle in real time.

SUBMITTER: Pasricha ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5067966 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature