Surgical correction of iris defects by the method of intrastromal femtosecond-laser assisted keratopigmentation using a new gel implant based on a water-soluble polysaccharide and insoluble organic pigments of the CROMOPHTAL series
The results are presented of an assessment of the technical feasibility of intrastromal femtosecond-laser-assisted kera-topigmentation using a new gel implant based on the water-soluble polysaccharide and insoluble organic pigments of the CROMOPHTAL in the ex vivo experiment. Scientific-experimental company «Eye Microsurgery» Ltd created a new gel implant based on water-soluble polysaccharide and insoluble organic pigments of the CROMOPHTAL series, intended for insertion into the corneal tunnel to correct iris defects. On 7 donor eyes, a ring-shaped closed corneal tunnel was formed with a femtosecond laser Femto Visum (the Corneal Tunnel program), into which 0.5 ml of a new gel implant was injected. At the end of the experiment, optical coherent tomography of the corneal of the cadaveric eye was performed on the OCT Visante device (Carl Zeiss, Germany), as well as a histological examination of the cornea. The successful fixation of the gel-colored substance in the space of the formed corneal tunnel was visually determined. The gel implant was evenly distributed in the corneal tunnel, it has a shielding effect. According to the results of histological examination, the performed intmstromal tunnel with edge pigmentation (remains of the artificial pigment) is visualized. It can be concluded that the formation of the corneal tunnel by means of a femtosecond laser for the subsequent performance of the keratopigmentation procedure is a precision, predictable and safe process. The gel structure is capable of providing a stable compact fixation in the space of the corneal tunnel. Preliminary results indicate the advisability of further research on the properties of the new gel implant to assess biocompatibility and determine its usefulness in clinical practice.