Effects of surface topography on corneal epithelialization in vivo: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we investigated the relationship between surface topography and initial epithelialization of synthetic lenticules in vivo.


METHODS
Millipore ultrafiltration membranes of three different pore sizes were used as model lenticule materials. The nominal membrane pore sizes were 0.1 microm, 0.45 microm, and 3 microm; the surface roughness increased in the same order The membranes were coated with a thin layer of collagen I and implanted in a circular pocket of the anterior cornea of adult cats, and were clinically evaluated for the extent of epithelialization and the persistence of epithelial attachment.


CONCLUSIONS
It was demonstrated that a smooth surface appears more attractive for initial epithelialization than a rough surface in vivo.
Xie
R Z
RZ
Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. t.xie@cclru.unsw.edu.au
Sweeney
D F
DF
Griesser
H J
HJ
Steele
J G
JG
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003094:Collagen; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000601:surgery; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011897:Random Allocation; D013499:Surface Properties
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D003094:Collagen