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In vivo femtosecond laser subsurface scleral treatment in rabbit eyes
Author(s) -
Chai Dongyul,
Chaudhary Gautam,
Mikula Eric,
Sun Hui,
Kurtz Ron,
Juhasz Tibor
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.20954
Subject(s) - sclera , femtosecond , intraocular pressure , laser , glaucoma , ophthalmology , in vivo , materials science , biomedical engineering , medicine , optics , physics , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Background and Objectives The progression of glaucoma can be reduced or delayed by reducing intraocular pressure (IOP). The properties of femtosecond laser surgery, such as markedly reduced collateral tissue damage, coupled with the ability to achieve isolated subsurface surgical effects in the sclera, make this technology a promising candidate in glaucoma management. In this pilot study we demonstrate the in vivo creation of partial thickness subsurface drainage channels with the femtosecond laser in the sclera of rabbit eyes in order to increase aqueous humor (AH) outflow. Study Design/Materials and Methods A femtosecond laser beam tuned to a 1.7 µm wavelength was scanned along a rectangular raster pattern to create the partial thickness subsurface drainage channels in the sclera of one eye of each of the four rabbits included in this pilot study. IOP was measured before and 20 minutes after the laser treatment to evaluate the acute effect of the procedure. Results OCT images verified the creation of the partial thickness subsurface scleral channels in the eyes of the in vivo rabbits. Comparison of pre‐ and postoperative IOP measurements in treated and control eyes revealed a reduction in the intraocular pressure due to the increased rate of AH outflow resulted in by the presence of the partial thickness scleral channels. Conclusions The creation of partial thickness subsurface drainage channels was demonstrated in the sclera of in vivo rabbit eyes with a 1.7 µm wavelength femtosecond laser. Reduction in IOP achieved by the partial thickness channels suggests potential utility in the treatment of elevated IOP. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:647–651, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.