Corneal wound healing in monkeys after repeated excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.
Five rhesus monkey eyes underwent repeated argon fluoride (193 nm) excimer laser myopic photorefractive keratectomy 3 months following an initial ablation that had produced mild subepithelial haze. At 3 months all eyes had development of a dense subepithelial opacity and a thickened epithelium (12 cells, 80 microns) with vacuolization of basal cells, fragmented basement membrane, and a layer of subepithelial fibrosis containing activated fibroblasts. By 6 months the opacity was clearing; epithelium was thinner (50 microns); subepithelial fibrosis was more lamellar. By 15 months only mild haze persisted clinically; epithelium was 30 microns thick, with persistent basal vacuolization and focal basement membrane disruption; subepithelial fibrous tissue was more organized. Early repeated excimer laser ablation of the monkey cornea apparently induces vigorous stromal wound healing. Use of shallower ablations, corticosteroids, or a longer delay between ablations may be necessary for repeated laser surgery to be practical clinically.
Hanna
K D
KD
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.
Pouliquen
Y M
YM
Waring
G O
GO
Savoldelli
M
M
Fantes
F
F
Thompson
K P
KP
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003318:Corneal Opacity / Q000473:pathology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005355:Fibrosis; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009216:Myopia / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D014945:Wound Healing