Assessing The Biomechanical Impact Of Femto-Cairs On Ex Vivo Porcine Eyes Using High-Resolution Oct Elastography
Published 2024 - 42nd Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PO777 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/0qv2-1h89
Authors: Emilio A. Torres-Netto* 1 , Sabine Kling 2 , Matteo Frigelli 2 , M. Enes Aydemir 3 , Nikki Hafezi 3 , Mark Hillen 3 , Léonard Kollros 3 , Shady Awwad 4 , Farhad Hafezi 3
1ELZA Institute,Zurich,Switzerland;University of Zurich,Zurich,Switzerland;University of Geneva,Geneva,Switzerland, 2Universität Bern,Bern,Switzerland, 3ELZA Institute,Zurich,Switzerland, 4American University of Beirut,Beirut,Lebanon
Purpose
This study aims to quantify the axial strain field after femtosecond laser-assisted corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment (Femto-CAIRS) insertion on ex vivo porcine eyes. By utilizing a custom optical coherence elastography (OCE) technology, we investigated how the Femto-CAIRS procedure locally influences the biomechanics of the cornea.
Setting
The research was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting at the ELZA Institute, Zurich, Switzerland.
Methods
Porcine eyes were subjected to Femto-CAIRS, with ring segments being generated from ex vivo porcine corneas using the femtosecond laser (Ziemer Z8, Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems), and inserted into femtosecond-laser created stromal tunnels. The high-resolution OCT-elastography were used to quantify the axial strain profile after corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segment.
Results
We will present the results of this analysis, including the findings of alterations in corneal biomechanics following Femto-CAIRS, plus other ancillary findings.
Conclusions
It is currently unclear whether Femto-CAIRS procedures alter the biomechanics of the cornea. It may have the potential to do so, as the addition of corneal tissue, plus the alteriation of the shape and tension of the cornea may have an impact. For the first time, OCT-Elastography was used to differentiate local strain profiles after Femto-CAIRS.