Photoablative inlay laser in situ keratomileusis (PAI-LASIK) in the rabbit model

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 31; no. 2; p. 389
• Main Authors: Peyman, Gholam A, Beyer, Craig F, Bezerra, Yanno, Vincent, Jared M, Arosemena, Analisa, Friedlander, Miles H, Hoffmann, Laurent, Kangeler, John, Roussau, Dominique
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-02-2005
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Corneal Stroma - surgery; Disease Models, Animal; Fibroblasts - drug effects; Fibroblasts - pathology; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate - toxicity; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; Mice; Prostheses and Implants; Prosthesis Implantation; Rabbits; Refractive Surgical Procedures; Surgical Flaps
• ISSN: 0886-3350
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2004.06.028

To evaluate the suitability, biocompatibility, and efficacy of a proprietary hydrogel photoablative inlay (PAI) for use during laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).
Laboratory study, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Eight rabbits (1 eye each) underwent the PAI-LASIK procedure; 4 eyes had a disk-shaped inlay and 4, a donut-shaped inlay. Preoperatively, the hydrogel material was ablated with a programmed correction of 5.0 diopters of hyperopia or myopia.
The eyes were followed for 1 to 16 months. No eye showed signs of rejection or extrusion of the PAI. There was no significant difference in corneal clarity or the healing rate between eyes with donut-shaped PAIs and those with disk-shaped PAIs. One eye with a donut-shaped PAI had minimal corneal haze. The remaining inlays did not opacify or fracture during ablation.
The hydrogel material can be used for the proposed PAI-LASIK procedure.