Confocal Microscopic Findings Associated with LASIK Flap with Foreign Corneal Epithelial Cells.
- Author:
Jae Sam KIM
1
;
Jong Wook HONG
;
Jong Soo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Korea. hongjw@ns.kumc.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Confocal microscopy;
Corneal epithelial cells;
Wound healing response
- MeSH:
Cornea;
Corneal Stroma;
Epithelial Cells*;
Epithelium;
Epithelium, Corneal;
Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ*;
Mast Cells;
Microscopy, Confocal;
Rabbits
- From:Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
2002;43(11):2265-2272
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To evaluate the inflammatory response following the insertion of corneal epithelium into rabbit corneal stroma using confocal microscope. METHODS: Newzealand white rabbits were underwent corneal flap procedure using Microkeratome (Hansatome, Chiron, USA) and corneal epithelium was inserted. We divided the rabbits into three groups: Group A: flap only, Group B: flap with central epithelium insertion, Group C: flap with peripheral epithelium insertion. We examined the rabbit corneas at the time point of 4, 24, 72hours, 7days, and 1 month after surgery using confocal microscope and CD 11b immunohistochemical stain. RESULTS: At the early stage, the inflammatory cells were more frequently observed in the group C than in the group A and B, and at postoperative 72hours only in the group C. In stromal and total corneal thickness, there was a tendency of increase to the postoperative 24 hours and decrease in all groups, but the group C was more stronger tendency than other groups (P<0.05). There is no significant difference of the flap thickness among three groups (P>0.05). In immunohistochemical staining (CD11b), polynucleated cells and mast cells were more visible in group B and C than in group A. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative inflammatory reaction of the LASIK flap may be related with corneal epithelial cells, and we think that more attention should be needed with the management of microkeratome.
