Lasik Eyes Surgery - Surgeons Discover that Microkeratomes Leave Plastic Particles in Corneas (Hagele in de

Author

Surgeons Discover that Microkeratomes Leave Plastic Particles in Corneas (Hagele in de

Brent Hanson - LasikFraud.com

2005-04-23, 5:51 pm

Plastic Particles at the LASIK Interface

Anders Ivarsen, MD, Jan Thøgersen, PhD, Søren Rud Keiding, PhD, Jesper Ø.
Hjortdal, MD, PhD, Torben Møller-Pedersen, MD, PhD

Purpose: To investigate the origin, composition, and persistence of the
interface particles that frequently are observed after LASIK.

Design: Small case series and experimental animal study.

Methods: Four patients received LASIK using a Schwind Supratome (Schwind,
Kleinostheim, Germany) and a MEL 70 G-Scan excimer laser (Asclepion, Jena,
Germany) and were examined over the course of 1 year using slit-lamp and in
vivo confocal microscopy. Four rabbits received a monocular microkeratome
incision and were examined immediately after surgery without lifting the
flap. After monthly evaluation for 4 months using in vivo confocal
microscopy, 2 corneas were processed for histologic analysis and were
sectioned serially. To measure the iron content, atomic absorption
spectrometry was performed on 2 operated and 2 unoperated rabbit corneas.

The chemical composition of the metal and plastic parts of the microkeratome
blade was identified using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (metal
part), and Raman and infrared spectroscopy (plastic part). Before and after
oscillation in air, the microkeratome blade and motor-head were examined
using light and fluorescence microscopy.

In serial sections, interface particles were identified by fluorescence
microscopy and their chemical composition was determined using Coherent
Antistokes Raman Scattering microscopy.

Results: In LASIK patients, thousands of brightly reflecting particles (up
to 30 m) were observed throughout the interface. The highest particle
density was detected where the microkeratome blade had first entered the
cornea. Both in the center and at the flap edge, the morphologic features,
distribution, and density of these particles remained unaltered throughout
the 1-year observation period. In rabbit corneas, interface particles were
observed immediately after the microkeratome incision, even though the flap
had not been lifted. These particles were similar to those observed in
humans and persisted unaltered throughout the study. The operated and
unoperated rabbit corneas had comparable iron content, demonstrating that
the particles were not fragments of the uncoated steel blade. Only a few
particles were observed on the unused microkeratome motor head and blade,
whereas numerous fluorescent particles were detected after oscillation in
air, the amount of particles increasing with oscillation time.
Interestingly, the only fluorescent part of the microkeratome was the
plastic segment of the blade. This plastic (polyetherimide) emitted
fluorescence identical to that of the observed particles, whereas all metal
parts of the microkeratome blade and motor head were nonfluorescent. In
serial sections, interface particles showed fluorescent properties
equivalent to polyetherimide and exhibited molecular resonance at 1780 and
3100 cm1, in accordance with the Raman spectrum of polyetherimide.

Conclusions: Numerous plastic particles are generated during microkeratome
oscillation and are deposited at the interface during LASIK. The particles
persist unaltered for at least 1 year. Ophthalmology 2004;111:18-23

The complete article in Adobe PDF Format may be downloaded here:
www.ophsource.org/periodicals/ophth...42003011813/pdf

Ragnar

2005-04-24, 5:56 pm

This is entirely nonsense. It involves an experiment performed on
rabbits in germany to test a new method of creating a flap. Neither
the microkeratome nor the laser system involved is in use anyplace in
the United States.

What nonsense.

What should be mentioned is that when LASIK providers offer deals like
$299 - $499, that they are cutting corners and using the same blade
over and over again. Those blades cost over $50 each and are to be
used ONE time only. When the blades are used repetively, the flaps
wind up having jagged edges and infections and epithelial ingrowth.
It amazes me how there are surgeons who have performed over 30,000
LASIK procedures have not had a single LASIK induced infection, yet
LVI had over 20 flap induced infections in one day! Since the only
contact made with the cornea in lasik is the blade, I just wonder how
they explain that series of events.
Incidentally, a doctor who had seen the post-op results of hundreds of
LVI patients was stunned when he saw my flaps. He said they were so
well done that he had difficulty seeing the perimeter of the flap!
That's what you get with a new blade. The cornea is made up of
laminated layers of microscopic collagen fibers and has a tensile
strength similar to steel. Using the blade on multiple corneas is a
sad way to cut corners.

On Sat, 23 Apr 2005 16:12:23 -0700, "Brent Hanson - LasikFraud.com"
<brent@lasikfraud_nospam.com> wrote:

> Plastic Particles at the LASIK Interface
>
>Anders Ivarsen, MD, Jan Thøgersen, PhD, Søren Rud Keiding, PhD, Jesper Ø.
>Hjortdal, MD, PhD, Torben Møller-Pedersen, MD, PhD
>
>Purpose: To investigate the origin, composition, and persistence of the
>interface particles that frequently are observed after LASIK.
>
>Design: Small case series and experimental animal study.
>
>Methods: Four patients received LASIK using a Schwind Supratome (Schwind,
>Kleinostheim, Germany) and a MEL 70 G-Scan excimer laser (Asclepion, Jena,
>Germany) and were examined over the course of 1 year using slit-lamp and in
>vivo confocal microscopy. Four rabbits received a monocular microkeratome
>incision and were examined immediately after surgery without lifting the
>flap. After monthly evaluation for 4 months using in vivo confocal
>microscopy, 2 corneas were processed for histologic analysis and were
>sectioned serially. To measure the iron content, atomic absorption
>spectrometry was performed on 2 operated and 2 unoperated rabbit corneas.
>
>The chemical composition of the metal and plastic parts of the microkeratome
>blade was identified using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (metal
>part), and Raman and infrared spectroscopy (plastic part). Before and after
>oscillation in air, the microkeratome blade and motor-head were examined
>using light and fluorescence microscopy.
>
>In serial sections, interface particles were identified by fluorescence
>microscopy and their chemical composition was determined using Coherent
>Antistokes Raman Scattering microscopy.
>
>Results: In LASIK patients, thousands of brightly reflecting particles (up
>to 30
m) were observed throughout the interface. The highest particle
>density was detected where the microkeratome blade had first entered the
>cornea. Both in the center and at the flap edge, the morphologic features,
>distribution, and density of these particles remained unaltered throughout
>the 1-year observation period. In rabbit corneas, interface particles were
>observed immediately after the microkeratome incision, even though the flap
>had not been lifted. These particles were similar to those observed in
>humans and persisted unaltered throughout the study. The operated and
>unoperated rabbit corneas had comparable iron content, demonstrating that
>the particles were not fragments of the uncoated steel blade. Only a few
>particles were observed on the unused microkeratome motor head and blade,
>whereas numerous fluorescent particles were detected after oscillation in
>air, the amount of particles increasing with oscillation time.
>Interestingly, the only fluorescent part of the microkeratome was the
>plastic segment of the blade. This plastic (polyetherimide) emitted
>fluorescence identical to that of the observed particles, whereas all metal
>parts of the microkeratome blade and motor head were nonfluorescent. In
>serial sections, interface particles showed fluorescent properties
>equivalent to polyetherimide and exhibited molecular resonance at 1780 and
>3100 cm
1, in accordance with the Raman spectrum of polyetherimide.
>
>Conclusions: Numerous plastic particles are generated during microkeratome
>oscillation and are deposited at the interface during LASIK. The particles
>persist unaltered for at least 1 year. Ophthalmology 2004;111:18-23
>
>The complete article in Adobe PDF Format may be downloaded here:
>www.ophsource.org/periodicals/ophth...42003011813/pdf
>