Modification of rabbit corneal curvature with use of carbon dioxide laser burns.

Carbon dioxide laser burns of varied intensity, location, and pattern were produced on rabbit corneas. Evaluation of the parameters required to produce an optimal corneal lesion showed that lesions made with 8 W caused perforation of rabbit corneas. Various laser burn patterns were studied for their effect on the rabbit corneal curvature. This was followed by comparison of effect of laser burns on corneal curvature with that of untreated contralateral eyes. The effects of the burns on the corneal curvative were measured for 12 weeks with use of a standard keratometer in the 90 degree and 180 degrees axes. No significant changes in the corneal curvature were noted in the experimental versus the control eyes. Carbon dioxide laser burns were not effective in modifying corneal curvature in this study.