Laser welding of corneal tissue: preliminary experiences using 810-nm and 1950-nm diode lasers

Laser welding of corneal incisions was performed using two different diode laser wavelengths. Tissue fusion was attempted both with direct absorption of radiation at 1950 nm radiation and with ICG dye-enhanced technique at 810 nm. Thirty deep (not full thickness) corneal incisions of 15 fresh-enucleated porcine eyes were treated. Semiconductor diode lasers emitting in continuous wave at 1950 nm and at 810 nm were used. Both were coupled to an optic fiber handpiece. Wound samples were explanted on day 0 after treatment for histological evaluation. The group of corneal wounds treated with the ICG-enhanced technique revealed tissue welding in 70% of treated wounds. Using 1950 nm tissue fusion was observed in 50% of treated wounds. Macroscopic evaluation revealed a pronounced thermal damage of the epithelium in the samples treated with 1950 nm radiation. Wound closures obtained using 1950 nm were characterized by superficial welding of corneal layers. (Abstract truncated.)