Histologic evaluation of corneal stroma in rabbits after intrastromal corneal ring implantation.
OBJECTIVE
Previous refractive corneal implants have produced histologic changes characteristic of nonspecific lipid keratopathy. Intacs intrastromal corneal ring segments are polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) corneal inserts approved for the correction of low myopia by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The purpose of this study was to describe histologic changes associated with these corneal implants in rabbit eyes.


METHODS
Two 150-degree PMMA arc segments, 0.30 mm thick, were surgically implanted through a single radial incision at two-thirds stromal depth in the mid-peripheral cornea of five New Zealand white rabbits. We collected corneas 6 months after implantation that were prepared for light and electron microscopy. We analyzed tissue with oil red O, filipin, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Additional studies with energy-dispersive x-ray analysis and autofluorescent microscopy were conducted.


RESULTS
In all samples, we observed new collagen formation with lamellar organization adjacent to the implant and increased keratocyte density. Intracellular accumulations of osmophilic and saturated lipid material corresponded to stromal opacification visible by slit-lamp microscopy. These same regions were autofluorescent and stained positively with oil red O, and filipin but negatively with PAS. Granular lipid inclusions characteristic of lipofuscinosis were absent on transmission electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive x-ray analysis demonstrated elevated levels of calcium compared with adjacent tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Tissue response to these corneal inserts includes keratocyte activation, intracellular lipid accumulation, and new collagen formation. Our histologic findings suggest that these deposit formations are not lipofuscin accumulations.
Twa
Michael D
MD
College of Optometry, The Ohio State University, 338 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1240, USA. twa.1@osu.edu
Ruckhofer
Josef
J
Kash
Roger L
RL
Costello
Michael
M
Schanzlin
David J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D011817:Rabbits
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008055:Lipids; D003094:Collagen; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate