The Big-Bubble Full Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Technique in Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty.

Purpose: To describe the big-bubble full femtosecond laser-assisted (BBFF) technique, which could be helpful in standardizing the big-bubble technique in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK).

Methods: Ten eyes of 10 consecutive patients affected by keratoconus underwent the BBFF technique using the 150-kHz IntraLase femtosecond laser (Intra-Lase FS Laser; Abbott Medical Optics, Inc., Santa Ana, CA). A 9-mm diameter metal mask with a single fissure 0.7 mm wide oriented at the 12-o'clock position was positioned into the cone, over the laser glass. The laser performed a ring lamellar cut (internal diameter = 3 mm; external diameter = 8 mm) 100 µm above the thinnest point, with the photodisruption effectively occurring only in the corneal stroma corresponding to the fissure to create a deep stromal channel; subsequently, an anterior side cut created an arcuate incision, from the corneal surface to the deep stromal channel on the mask's opening site. The mask was removed and the laser performed a full lamellar cut 200 µm above the thinnest point to create a lamella. After the removal of the lamella, the air needle was inserted into the stromal channel and air was injected to achieve a big bubble.

Results: The big bubble was achieved in 9 eyes (all type 1 bubbles) and all procedures were completed as DALK.

Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest that the BBFF technique could help in standardizing the big-bubble technique in DALK, reducing the "learning curve" for surgeons who approach this technique and the risks of intraoperative complications.