For manual, deep stromal dissection, a spatula set was developed, consisting of three spatulas, colorcoded like the dutch flag.

A short, triangled spatula (RED) is used to dissect downward into the cornea, until the desired stromal depth is reached. A half-length, curved spatula (WHITE) with a rounded tip is used to make the dissection up to two thirds across the cornea, and a third, full-length spatula (BLUE) is used to complete the dissection across the cornea over 360 degrees.

All spatulas have sharpened edges to create a smooth interface, so that the risk of interface haze development is minimized (see chapter 3). Since obtaining a smooth interface may be a crucial step in lamellar keratoplasty, the spatulas may be used up to three surgeries.

The limited re-usable NIIOC/DALK spatula set is available through:

D.O.R.C. International b.v.

Scheijdelveweg 2.

P.O. Box 43.

3214 ZG Zuidland.

The Netherlands.

Tel: 31 (0)181 458080.

Fax: 31 (0)181 458090.

E-mail: sales@dorc.nl.