Corneal Lenticule Creation Using a New Solid-State Femtosecond Laser Measured by Spectral Domain OCT in a Porcine Eye Model

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy and precision of corneal lenticule creation with a new solid-state femtosecond laser in a porcine eye model. METHODS: Corneal lenticule creation was performed using a new solid-state femtosecond laser on 60 porcine eyes with 10 subgroups. Optical coherence tomography images were acquired immediately after laser treatment. Cap thickness (CT), cap diameter (CD), and lenticule thickness (LT) were measured manually by three independent readers. Additionally, CT and LT were measured by an automated algorithm (aLT, aCT). RESULTS: Measured LT was significantly greater than the intended LT (average difference 14.3 ± 5.6 µm, P < 0.001). aLT was closer but still significantly different from the intended LT (−2.9 ± 5.8 µm, P < 0.001). Measured CT showed no significant difference from the intended CT (2.6 ± 13.3, P = 0.145). aCT was significantly smaller compared to the intended CT (−9.6 ± 13.6, P < 0.001). Measured CD was significantly smaller compared to the intended CD (−0.21 ± 0.20 mm, P < 0.001). All lenticules were cut as planned with no laser-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: This new solid-state femtosecond laser used in our trial provides corneal lenticule creation in a porcine eye model comparable to other established systems. However, measuring those lenticules in the provided setting seems too challenging even when using semiautomated algorithms, which seems to be due to the experimental setting of the trial. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: This trial shows the precision and repeatability of corneal cuts performed by a new femtosecond laser that could translate to refractive corneal lenticule surgery.