Femtosecond laser-assisted descemetorhexis for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: a cell- and tissue-based ex-vivo analysis in terms of precision and safety.

PURPOSE To analyze precision and safety of femtosecond laser-assisted descemetorhexis as well as postoperative corneal wound healing in human ex vivo specimens. SETTING Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany. DESIGN Experimental ex vivo study. METHODS Four donor corneas underwent femtosecond laser-assisted descemetorhexis. The descemetorhexis was performed using the LDV Z8 femtosecond laser followed by live/dead staining, phase contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The descemetorhexis parameters were set using a modified optical coherence tomography image capturing of 8 segments within a focus of 100 μm at the posterior corneal stroma (reversed capsulotomy program). RESULTS Live/dead sample staining analysis demonstrated that the femtosecond laser had minimal impact on the vitality of surrounding endothelial cells. Phase contrast microscopy and scanning electron microscopy evaluation showed that the laser produced precise, clear-cut edges leaving no stromal tissue bridges. CONCLUSIONS Femtosecond laser-assisted descemetorhexis could serve as a safe and precise technique with only minimal endothelial cell damage. To minimize stromal damage, further laser energy profile adjustments are necessary to optimize corneal treatment within different stages of corneal tissue swelling.