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We Pursue Eye Research

Corneal Transplants

Laser Assisted Transplants

Tophat Incision
Figure 1. Tophat Incision
Zigzag Incision
Figure 2. Zigzag Incision

Full thickness transplants have traditionally had straight edges created with a blade that looks like a cookie cutter. In 2005, Dr. Price was first surgeon in the world to use a super-fast femtosecond laser to precisely create interlocking transplant incisions (Figures 1 and 2) to help provide stronger healing. We find that a tophat shaped incision can help restore a more regular corneal surface if there is thinning in the area where the incision will be made. 

Dr. Price has helped pioneered the use of a femtosecond laser to precisely create interlocking incisions for DALK to create a strong seal between the donor and recipient tissue. He has found that the zigzag shaped incision is particularly useful for DALK.

All Laser Cornea Transplant - New Hope for Victim of Tragic Crime

(Second Video Posted) View Surgery
Indianapolis Surgeon Performs World’s First All-Laser “Top Hat” Cornea Transplant


To view a “Top Hat” surgery and to learn more about cornea transplants, click here.

Debi Bailey from Sarasota came to Indianapolis in July to see Dr. Francis W. Price, Jr. in the hopes of regaining her vision.  In 1972, she was standing near her father when he opened a package that turned out, tragically, to contain a bomb. The explosion killed her father instantly and permanently damaged one of her eyes and made her legally blind in the other.  Almost fatally injured, Debi lost 50% of her hearing, suffered internal injuries and second and third degree burns.  She endured a great deal of suffering and, over the years, her vision continued to worsen.  She had numerous surgeries but the cornea in her left eye was badly scarred and cloudy.

With the help of her community, and the Lions Club in Sarasota, Debi flew to Indianapolis for a combination of two procedures in her severely damaged left eye.  Dr. Price performed a corneal transplant to replace the cloudy cornea she had, and implanted an artificial iris.  Using a new laser technology to create ultra-small incisions,

Dr. Price and his assistants performed the delicate transplant surgery known as a “Top Hat” because of the unique shape of the tissue cut.  Dr. Price was encouraged by how the surgery went and noted, “We’re hoping that use of the laser to create a top hat incision will provide faster healing with fewer visual fluctuations compared with traditional transplant techniques.”

Ms. Bailey is hoping to see things she thought she might never be able to, including “...sunsets at the beach in Sarasota, my children’s’ faces, the stars at night.”  Complete healing will take place over the next six months and she will return to Indianapolis for a check-up in 90 days.  Dr. Price said he hopes the FDA will sign off on the iris implants soon so that many others might be helped.

Publications
  1. Price FW, Price MO. Femtosecond laser shaped penetrating keratoplasty: one-year results utilizing a top-hat configuration. Am J Ophthalmol 2008;145:210-214. 
  2. Price FW, Price MO, Jordan CS. Safety of incomplete incision patterns in femtosecond laser-assisted penetrating keratoplasty. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2008; 34:2099-2013.
  3. Price FW, Price MO, Grandin JC Kwon R. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty with femtosecond-laser zigzag incisions. Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2009;35:804-808.