Precis: Intrastromal Pocket Keratotomy implantation (IPK) is an innovative surgical method to treat refractive errors and Keratoconus with a thin lens implanted in stroma layer and an innovative way to create a pocket instead of a LASIK flap in stroma layer to avoid epithelium ingrowths without compromising the structural integrity of corneas which is associated with ablation of stroma in conventional refractive surgeries by excimer laser.
Purpose: Treatment for refractive errors without compromising the structural integrity of corneas, Keratoconus and Corneal Ectasia.
Methods: A thin lens is placed in a pocket created by femtosecond laser in the stroma layer in the eyes of a dog. To test our hypothesis that a small implant in its diameter does not affect the efficiency of transfer of gas and nutrients significantly, two different size implants were implanted and the change in IOP, number of endothelium cell count, topographical information were recorded.
Result: There was no significant change in IOP and topographical information. The decrease in endothelium sell count in larger implant eye was more significant than in smaller implant eye.
Conclusion: A small implant of less gas and nutrient permeable material in stroma layer has less effect on the efficiency of transfer of gas and nutrients with a larger implant of the same material. A study of larger number of subjects is needed to determine the largest possible implant that does not degrade the efficiency of such transfer.