IMPLANTATION OF COLLAGEN PLUGS INTO INCISIONAL KERATOTOMIES

Purpose: To evaluate whether supplementing incisional keratotomy bulk or gape with a biocompatible material enhances the refractive effect. Setting: Refractive Surgery Laboratory, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infi rmary, Boston. Methods: Collagen punctal plugs were implanted into ast igmatic keratotomy (AK) incisions in the right eyes of five rabbits an d six adult cats. The left eyes had AK only and served as controls. Re sults: Some of the postoperative corneal topographic measurements sugg ested an enhanced refractive effect. At 1 month, histology demonstrate d no remaining implant material and no inflammation in or near the inc isions. Conclusions: Implanting a biocompatible material into AK incis ions in two live animal models appears to be safe and may enhance the effect of the incisions. Further study is needed to quantify the magni tude and duration of any refractive effect.