Method for the joining of ocular tissues using laser light

A method for the welding of ocular tissues to each other comprising the steps of:

• providing a first portion of ocular tissue selected from the group consisting of corneal tissue and scleral tissue, and a second portion of ocular tissue selected from the group consisting of corneal tissue and scleral tissue, said first portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge and said second portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge;
• positioning said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue directly adjacent to and against said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue;
• and
• applying infrared laser light from a source thereof to both said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue and said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue simultaneously, said laser light having a wavelength sufficient to enable said laser light to penetrate said first portion of ocular tissue and said second portion of ocular tissue to a depth of about 0.2-2.0 mm in order to securely weld said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue to said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue, said wavelength being about 1400-1900 nm, said laser light having a power output level sufficient to maintain said first portion of ocular tissue and said second portion of ocular tissue at a temperature of 45.degree.-60.degree. C. during said applying of said laser light, said power output level being about 60 mW-1.5 W.

A method for the welding of ocular tissues to each other comprising the steps of:

• providing a first portion of ocular tissue selected from the group consisting of corneal tissue and scleral tissue, and a second portion of ocular tissue selected from the group consisting of corneal tissue and scleral tissue, said first portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge and said second portion of ocular tissue having a leading edge;
• positioning said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue directly adjacent to and against said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue;
• and
• applying infrared laser light from a source thereof to both said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue and said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue simultaneously, said laser light having a wavelength sufficient to enable said laser light to penetrate said first portion of ocular tissue and said second portion of ocular tissue to a depth of about 0.2-0.5 mm in order to securely weld said leading edge of said first portion of ocular tissue to said leading edge of said second portion of ocular tissue, said wavelength being about 2100-2400 nm, said laser light having a power output level sufficient to maintain said first portion of ocular tissue and said second portion of ocular tissue at a temperature of about 45.degree.-60.degree. C. during said applying of said laser light, said power output level being about 30 mW-750 mW.

A method for the welding of an epikeratoplasty lenticule to corneal tissue comprising the steps of:

• providing a portion of corneal tissue;
• providing an epikeratoplasty lenticule;
• placing said epikeratoplasty lenticule in contact with said corneal tissue;
• and
• applying infrared laser light from a source thereof to said epikeratoplasty lenticule and said corneal tissue simultaneously at a position on said corneal tissue where said epikeratoplasty lenticule comes in contact with said corneal tissue, said laser light having a wavelength within a wavelength range selected from the group consisting of about 1900-2100 nm and about 2400-2650 nm.