Diode laser welding for cornea suturing: an experimental study of the repair process

We present an experimental study, performed in vivo, to evaluate the application of laser welding of the cornea. The welding technique is based on controlled irradiation provided by a diode laser (810 nm) operating at low power (60-90 mW), in association with the chromophore Indocyanine Green which was applied locally in the corneal wound to be repaired. Thirty-four rabbits were selected to undergo both conventional and laser-induced suturing of corneal wounds, to simulate cataract surgery and penetrating keratoplasty. A follow-up study 7-30 days after surgery was carried out by means of histological examinations of cornea slices, in order to investigate the healing process induced by laser welding. In the laser group, the analyses evidenced a faster and more effective restoration of the architecture of the stroma, with re-organization of both epithelium and endothelium. We also present measurements of the spectral absorption of Indocyanine Green and of the temperature rise in the corneal surface during laser welding.