Tissue-Augmented Corneal Inlay Surgery Technique

A method of corneal implantation with cross-linking, said method comprising the steps of:

• implanting a corneal inlay into a recipient cornea of an eye of a patient so as to overlie stromal tissue of the recipient cornea;
• applying laser energy to a central portion of the corneal inlay and a portion of the stromal tissue of the recipient cornea underneath the corneal inlay so as to modify the refractive power of the eye;
• applying a cross-linking solution that includes a photosensitizer to the recipient cornea of the eye of the patient;
• and
• irradiating the corneal inlay and surrounding corneal tissue so as to activate cross-linkers in the corneal inlay and the surrounding corneal tissue, and thereby cross-link the corneal inlay and the surrounding corneal tissue to prevent an immune response to the corneal inlay and/or rejection of the corneal inlay by the patient;
• wherein the central portion of the corneal inlay remains clear for the patient without being obstructed by swollen tissue so that the patient is able to see immediately after the corneal inlay is surgery.