Why carry out this study?

Femtosecond lasers are commonly used in cataract and refractive surgeries. Preclinical animal studies are performed prior to use in human patients to understand the effect of laser procedures on the cornea, internal eye structures, and ocular function

Standardized preclinical test methods to guide manufacturers in the assessment of safety and performance of ophthalmic lasers do not exist. Consequently, the data presented in regulatory submissions may vary between manufacturers making the regulatory review process more ambiguous

Preclinical test methods are needed to show safety and effectiveness of refractive laser treatments on ocular tissue prior to human clinical trials

What was learned from the study?

Various in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models were shown to be effective in evaluation of safety and effectiveness of the refractive laser treatments on ocular tissue

An in vivo rabbit model subject to corneal refractive treatments was shown to be a useful tool for the evaluation of the laser energy on ocular tissue and ocular function