Project overview
This pilot study will compare upto 15 patients undergoing femtolaser assisted keratoplasty (using CE[Conformité Européene] approved femtolaser apparatus) with upto 15 patients undergoing conventional keratoplasty with a manual trephine. Patients will be randomly assigned to either group. All keratoplasties will be penetrating keratoplasties. The following aims of this research is detailed below:
Does femtosecond laser assisted keratoplasty ( FLAK ) yield faster visual recovery and better long term BCVA (Best Corrected Visual Acuity)?
Does FLAK offer a biomechanically stronger cornea and thereby more safety and less risk of wound dehiscence?
Is there any difference between FLAK and conventional keratoplasty in terms of graft failure or rejection?
Follow up in best corrected visual acuity, various refraction/astigmatism measurements, intraocular pressure, graft rejection/failure rates, pachymetry and corneal hysteresis and resistance factor will be recorded at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months and 1 year and 18 months postoperatively.
This study, to the investigators' knowledge will be the first randomised controlled trial in this area, the first to provide an empirical measurement to biomechanical stability of the cornea with the femtolaser, and the first done in an NHS (National Health Service) setting.
Does femtosecond laser assisted keratoplasty ( FLAK ) yield faster visual recovery and better long term BCVA (Best Corrected Visual Acuity)?
Does FLAK offer a biomechanically stronger cornea and thereby more safety and less risk of wound dehiscence?
Is there any difference between FLAK and conventional keratoplasty in terms of graft failure or rejection?
Follow up in best corrected visual acuity, various refraction/astigmatism measurements, intraocular pressure, graft rejection/failure rates, pachymetry and corneal hysteresis and resistance factor will be recorded at 1 day, 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months and 1 year and 18 months postoperatively.
This study, to the investigators' knowledge will be the first randomised controlled trial in this area, the first to provide an empirical measurement to biomechanical stability of the cornea with the femtolaser, and the first done in an NHS (National Health Service) setting.
