ECS11
LOW ENERGY FEMTOSECOND LASER TREATMENT TO RESTORE ACCOMMODATION CAPACITY TO THE CRYSTALLINE LENS
A. Béglé1,*
1KEJAKO, SAINT-ETIENNE, France
Purpose
To restore crystallin lens capacity of accommodation by changing its mechanical characteristics, using low energy femtosecond laser.
Methods
We used finite element simulation of the whole eye to understand and model the process of human accommodation and its degradation over time (presbyopia). Our model also allowed us to target treatment.
We tested this treatment on ageing pig lenses ex vivo (stiffer than young lens).
Mechanical characteristics were measured before and after laser treatment and compared to controls.
The same treatment was applied on rabbit in vivo to assess its safety.
Results
The delivery of sophisticated femtosecond laser energy pattern shows an ability to soften lens while preserving its transparency (EX-VIVO study) and a potential capacity to restore 1.5 diopters of accommodation.
The treatment is extremely safe, no rabbit has developed cataractogenesis or suffered damage to the retina or cornea (IN-VIVO study).
The coupling between laser and the eye allowing homogeneous and well-localized treatment is safe and repeatable.
Conclusions
The contemplated treatment has shown safety and performance, leading to a preclinical proof of concept.
The development of prototype and optimized and customized treatment protocol will be performed to prepare the first in man clinical test.