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Femtosecond-assisted diagnostic corneal biopsy (FAB) in keratitis

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Abstract

Background

Femtosecond laser technology (IntraLase, Irvine, CA, USA) has been introduced in corneal surgery, opening a new frontier and providing a new surgical modality. The purpose of this study is to present a series of patients with keratitis after Femtosecond-assisted diagnostic corneal biopsies (FAB).

Methods

Four patients with progressive keratitis—despite intensive broad-spectrum topical antimicrobial therapy, or progressive stromal infiltration inaccessible to corneal scrapings—underwent femtosecond-assisted diagnostic corneal biopsy. A corneal specimen was obtained using the Femtosecond laser (IntraLase), including both clinically infected and adjacent non-infected clear corneal tissue. A combination of lamellar and keratoplasty treatment parameters were used.

Results

Corneal specimens of 3 mm diameter and 120 to 200 μm thickness were obtained in all patients. No intra- or early post-operative complications related to the procedure were found. In all patients, adequate specimens were submitted for cultures, smears, and permanent section staining.

Conclusions

In this small case series of patients with undiagnosed keratitis, femtosecond-assisted diagnostic corneal biopsy (FAB) obtained adequate specimens without intra- or early post-operative complications, related to the procedure.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Sonia H. Yoo, George D. Kymionis, Terrence P. O’Brien, Takeshi Ide, William Culbertson & Eduardo C. Alfonso

  2. 900 NW 17th St, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    George D. Kymionis

Authors
  1. Sonia H. Yoo
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  2. George D. Kymionis
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  3. Terrence P. O’Brien
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  4. Takeshi Ide
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  5. William Culbertson
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  6. Eduardo C. Alfonso
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to George D. Kymionis.

Additional information

Drs. SH Yoo and WW Culbertson received travel grants and speakers’ honoraria from the IntraLase Corporation, Irvine, California. Drs. GD Kymionis, T Ide, T. O’Brien and EC Alfonso have no financial interest.

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Yoo, S.H., Kymionis, G.D., O’Brien, T.P. et al. Femtosecond-assisted diagnostic corneal biopsy (FAB) in keratitis. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 246, 759–762 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-008-0785-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-008-0785-8

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