Preliminary experiences on diode laser welding in corneal transplantation

An experimental study on the applicability of diode laser welding to assist corneal transplantation is presented. Fusion of corneal tissue was accomplished by low power laser irradiation at 810 nm in association with Indocyanine Green (ICG) as the photoenhancing chromophore. Twenty freshly enucleated eyes obtained from young goats were used. In the preliminary experimental phase we examined the effects of laser welding on cuts produced by the scalpel on the cornea. Then we tried to design and test a novel diode laser- assisted corneal transplantation procedure. Our experimental results indicate that this procedure is affordable, but some technical aspects, as the application of ICG to the cut as well as the control of laser action are very critical issues.