An in vivo model of femtosecond laser intrastromal refractive surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To develop an animal model for evaluation of femt osecond laser intrastromal refractive surgery METHODS: Intrastromal photodisruption was performed in New Zealand Albino r abbits using a femtosecond laser system. This surgical pattern consisted of a 100 mu m-tick pyramid of laser pulses starting 180 mu m below the cornea l surface. Animals underwent serial slit lamp examinations and corneal thic kness measurements at 1,3,7,14, and 28 days, then monthly up to 1 year. RESULTS: Approximately 70 mu m of central corneal thinning were seen at 1 w eek, remaining stable up to 7 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intrastromal photodisruption with femtosecond lasers produced consistent changes in corneal thickness without loss of corneal transparenc y. These changes were more stable than those produced with excimer laser pr ocedures in a similar animal model.