Gel injection adjustable keratoplasty (GIAK): keratometric evaluation on eye-bank eyes

摘要

Abstract: Purpose: To assess keratometric changes of a new surgical refractive technique (Gel Injection Adjustable Keratoplasty or GIAK) on Eye Bank eyes. Conceived by G. Simon in 1989, GIAK consists of making a flat 360 degree intrastromal annular delamination track centered around the corneal apex and filling it with a soft gel. Methods: The track, which was made with customized helicoidal delaminators, was delaminated parallel to the corneal surface at 80% depth and was filled with a biocompatible crosslinked polyethylene oxide gel. The procedure was preformed on fresh cadaver eyes using 10 delaminators with different inner diameters (4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 mm) and widths (1.00 and 1.25 mm). The annular track was filled to capacity. Keratometric changes were evaluated with an automated surgical keratometer. Results: The keratometric changes induced by GIAK were between 3.4 and 11.9 diopters on average. Conclusions: This surgical technique effectively flattens the cornea and promises to be an effective technique for correction of myopia. !18