PNEUMATIC KERATOLOGY
PNEUMATIC KERATOLOGY is a new procedure that corrects refractive errors, most notably myopia or nearsightedness, without the risks, complications, and expense of laser keratectomy, laser in situ keratomiulesis (LASIK), or other invasive surgical procedures.
PNEUMATIC KERATOLOGY uses a simple device (the EyeModel) which corrects myopia by applying a vacuum force to the cornea of the eye. The method and device is capable of modeling the shape of the cornea to a flatter or lesser curvature. A flatter cornea corrects myopia. This method is much simpler than laser ablation or cutting the cornea, that is neccessary in other methods. Myopia correction is accomplished without complication.
The EyeModel: A Photograph of the device used in clinical trials.
Multivision Research has developed this technology and made it available free of cost for the benefit of the general public. The basis of PNEUMATIC KERATOLOGY is described in Nature Eye, (16 June 2017) | doi:10.1038/eye.2017.123. The EyeModel achieves a plastic change of the shape of the cornea. PNEUMATIC KERATOLOGY provides a revolutionary means to correct all refractive errors, myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism with unprecedented simplicity. It is easier to use and much less complicated than expensive laser surgery equipment for the correction of myopia. Unlike other methods, the cornea is not cut, burnt, ablated, or damaged. No tissue is removed and nothing is implanted.
The EyeModel has elongated openings that are connected to a vacuum pump with a thin tube. By placing the device on the surface of the cornea and then applying a vacuum, a plastic deformation of the area of the cornea below the openings is achieved. The resulting effect is that the curvature and the refractive power of the cornea and the eye are changed. A flatter cornea reduces or corrects myopia.
The EyeModel stretches corneal tissue, called stroma, in a preferential direction or pattern, creating a permanent plastic deformation in that direction. A vacuum chamber with radially elongated openings that are uniformly spaced corrects myopia. This is the device shown in the photograph and used successfully on live corneas. A vacuum chamber with circular openings corrects hyperopia. When the openings are not uniformly spaced, astigmatism can be corrected.
This procedure is not yet available to the general public in the United States, it is not FDA approved and further clinical trials are neccessary for approval in the US. Only patients in Europe and other countries have benefited from the procedure. The information in the link below "FAQs" addresses most questions about the device, the results obtained to date and how to become a candidate for clinical trials.
