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. 1999 Nov;83(11):1302–1305. doi: 10.1136/bjo.83.11.1302

Corneal wound healing following laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK): a histopathological study in rabbits

T Kato 1, K Nakayasu 1, Y Hosoda 1, Y Watanabe 1, A Kanai 1
PMCID: PMC1722864  PMID: 10535863

Abstract

AIMS—To investigate the histopathological changes of rabbit corneas after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and to evaluate the corneal wound healing process.
METHODS—A LASIK was performed on white rabbit eyes. Postoperatively, rabbits were killed on days 1 and 7, and at 1, 3, and 9 months.
RESULTS—Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) positive material and disorganised collagen fibre were seen along the interface of the corneal flap even 9 months after operation.
CONCLUSIONS—The wound healing process still continued at 9 months after LASIK indicating that a much longer time than expected was required for corneal wound healing following LASIK.



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Figure 1  .

Figure 1  

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(A) Haematoxylin and eosin staining section on day 1 after LASIK. (bar 200 µm). (B) Normal epithelial basement membrane structure is observed at the centre of the cornea. (Anti-type IV collagen, postoperative day 1, bar 200 µm.) (C) At the wound margin, epithelial basement membrane structure is absent (arrows). (Anti-type IV collagen, postoperative day 1, bar 200 µm). (D) Electron microscopy showing wavy keratocyte with swelling the stroma in the corneal flap (postoperative day 1). (E) One week after LASIK. Masson trichrome staining section shows the epithelial plug is smaller than on day 1 after the surgery. Arrowhead indicates the wound edge (bar 200 µm). (F) Diffuse staining for type IV collagen is noted beneath the epithelium at the wound margin. Arrowhead indicates the wound edge (postoperative day 7, bar 200 µm).

Figure 2  .

Figure 2  

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(A) Positive staining for type IV collagen is seen around the epithelial ingrowth portion on day 7 after LASIK (bar 200 µm). (B) PAS positive material is noted along the lamellar interface. Arrowhead indicates the wound edge (postoperative month 1, bar 200 µm). (C) Haematoxylin and eosin staining section 3 months after LASIK showing almost normal appearing cornea. Arrowhead indicates the wound edge (bar 200 µm). (D) Diffuse staining for type IV collagen is seen beneath the epithelium at the wound margin. Arrowhead indicates the wound edge (postoperative 3 months, bar 200 µm). (E) PAS stained section 9 months after LASIK. Note that the PAS positive material still present along the interface. Arrowhead indicates the wound edge (bar 200 µm). (F) Electron microscopy at 9 months after LASIK. Disorganised extracellular matrix is deposited along the interface (arrows).

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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