ABSTRACT
We aimed to develop a novel and effective technique for creating a smooth deep lamellar dissection of the cornea using a femtosecond (FS) laser for deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), we conducted a retrospective eye bank study. Thirteen fresh human corneas were mounted on an artificial anterior chamber, and deep lamellar cuts were made with a 500?kHz VisuMax FS laser at a level of 50–80 ?m anterior to the Descemet’s membrane (DM). A posterior diameter of 8 mm with a side cut angle of 110° was used for the anterior penetrating side cut. The anterior lamellar tissue was bluntly dissected. The residual posterior stromal beds and side cuts were examined with microscopy and intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT) and post?cut endothelial cell evaluations. All corneas revealed a smooth residual posterior stromal bed without any visible irregularities or ridges by microscopy and OCT imaging. Six corneas were suitable for post?cut endothelial cell evaluation 2 days after laser cut, with no significant endothelial cell loss post?laser and blunt dissection of the posterior stroma. FS laser deep lamellar keratoplasty utilizing an ultrafast laser to produce a smooth deep stromal dissection followed by blunt dissection and removal of the anterior stromal tissue yields a consistent and smooth residual stromal bed. The creation of a smooth lamellar dissection in the deep posterior cornea may result in more consistent DALK without the need for air bubble or manual baring of DM that has the risk for DM perforation.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: To determine the impact of amphotericin B supplementation to donor cornea preservation solutions on the rates of positive donor rim fungal cultures and postkeratoplasty fungal infections. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of cases undergoing corneal transplantations at a single tertiary referral center from 2016 to 2021. Patients undergoing corneal transplantations with and without amphotericin B supplementation to the storage media were reviewed for donor rim culture results and postoperative infection. The primary outcome measures were positive donor rim fungal culture results and postkeratoplasty fungal infection. Results: A total of 1238 corneal transplants were analyzed. Of these, 849 were stored in preservation solution without amphotericin B, while 389 had amphotericin B included. There was a lower incidence of positive donor rim fungal cultures in cases with amphotericin B supplementation (1.8%) compared to the cases without amphotericin B (2.9%), although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.24). Of the 389 cases with amphotericin B supplementation, one (0.25%) went on to develop clinically significant infection, while three of 849 (0.35%) cases without amphotericin B developed infection. The sample size was too small to determine the effect of amphotericin B on the incidence of postkeratoplasty fungal infection. Conclusion: The addition of amphotericin B to donor cornea preservation solution resulted in a downward trend of positive donor rim fungal cultures and postkeratoplasty fungal infections, although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to appropriately determine the impact of amphotericin B supplementation in the storage solution on positive donor rims and postkeratoplasty fungal infections.