Q-switched 2.94-μm Er:YAG laser trephination with convergent and divergent cut angles for penetrating keratoplasty

Purpose. To study the morphologic properties of perpendicular (P), convergent (C), and divergent (D) cut angles using different speeds of rotations during donor and recipient nonmechanical trephination for experimental penetrating keratoplasty. Methods. With a Q-switched 2.94-mum Er:YAG laser corneal trephination was performed in 150 enucleated porcine eyes using ceramic open masks with 8 "orientation teeth/notches" and an automated globe rotation device allowing different cut angles [0 degree (P), 10 and 20 degrees (C and D)] toward the optical axis and variation of the rotation speed [3, 7, and 11 rotations per minute (rpm)]. The regularity of the cut (I, regular; II, slightly irregular; III, irregular) was assessed by light microscopy. The area of thermal damage and the number and size of "spikes" in the stroma at the superficial, intermediate and deep level of the excision were analyzed using digital images and the Optimas image processing software. Results. The regularity of the cut was classified as 1 in 42%/22% of donor/recipient and as II in 41%/56%, respectively. The thermal damage was least expressed with D20 degree cut angle and donor mask (P < 0.01). With all cut angles and speeds of rotation, thermal damage at the deep level of excision was significantly smaller (P < 0.01). With different speeds of donor rotations, the thermal damage showed no significant difference. With recipient trephination, the thermal damage at the deep level was greatest with 7 rpm (P < 0.01). The number and size of spikes of thermal damage with donor and recipient masks were significantly smaller in the deep stroma (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Q-switched Er:YAG laser trephination with appropriate settings results in low thermal damage zones at the cut margin. Different cut angles and speeds of trephination may affect the cut performance and quality of the excision. In our study, low rotation speed and divergent donor cut angles showed the best results. The cut quality and the small thermal damage with the Q-switched 2.94-mum Er:YAG laser seem to be tolerable for corneal trephination. Therefore, this modality may be a low-cost, easy-to-handle alternative for nonmechanical corneal transplantation in humans.