Variable depth thermal lesions in rabbit corneas using a tunable thulium fiber laser

Nathaniel M. Fried, Guillermo Noguera, Juan Castro-Combs, Ashley Behrens

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Laser-induced thermal changes in the cornea have been used clinically for refractive surgery. This study describes the creation of variable depth thermal lesions in the cornea using a tunable Thulium fiber laser. Thermal lesions were created in fresh rabbit corneas, ex vivo, at three different wavelengths (1873 nm, 1890 nm, and 1904 nm) (n=6 corneas each). All other laser parameters were kept fixed with power of 5.5 W, 25-ms exposure time, and 650-μmdiameter spot, yielding a single pulse exposure of 138 mJ, and a fluence of 42 J/cm 2. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and histology were used to measure pre- and post-operative corneal thickness and lesion dimensions. OCT measurements of pre and post-operative corneal thickness and lesion depth (in microns) were: (1873 nm: 450±30, 801±95, 655±51), (1890 nm: 460±27, 618±70, 332±56), (1904 nm: 448±20, 550±42, 245±36), respectively. By comparison, histologic measurements were: (1873 nm: 470±25, 828±21, 540±31), (1890 nm: 457±13, 625±17, 350±43), (1904 nm: 465±40, 627±35, 239±23), respectively. OCT lesion depth measured 82%, 54%, and 45% of corneal thickness, compared to histologic analysis of 65%, 56%, and 38%. This is the first preliminary test of a compact and tunable Thulium fiber laser for creating variable depth thermal lesions in the cornea. The Thulium fiber laser may have potential use as a replacement for the Ho:YAG and diode lasers for thermal keratoplasty.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationOphthalmic Technologies XVII
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
EventOphthalmic Technologies XVII - San Jose, CA, United States
Duration: Jan 20 2007Jan 23 2007

Publication series

NameProgress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE
Volume6426
ISSN (Print)1605-7422

Other

OtherOphthalmic Technologies XVII
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Jose, CA
Period1/20/071/23/07

Keywords

  • Cornea
  • Fiber
  • Keratoplasty
  • Laser
  • Lesions
  • Thermal
  • Thulium
  • Tunable

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Biomaterials
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Variable depth thermal lesions in rabbit corneas using a tunable thulium fiber laser'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this