title: The PALM Technique: histological findings of masked phototherapeutic keratectomy on rabbit corneas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To compare the corneal healing response between conventional and phototherapeutic keratectomy through a masking agent, in rabbit corneas.
  
  
  METHODS
  24 adult rabbits underwent phototherapeutic keratectomy. Animals were divided in two groups: 12 received photoablation through a masking agent (PALM gel) and the remaining 12 received conventional phototherapeutic keratectomy of equal depth and served as control. Light and transmission electron microscopy was performed in specimens of both groups obtained: immediately after, four hours, one week, one, three and six months after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reepitheliazation was complete within five days in all eyes. Light and transmission electron microscopy did not reveal any differences of the healing process in the experimental eyes compared to the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Photoablation through the PALM technique did not result any evident alterations of the reepithelisation and stromal healing process.
authors.affiliation: University of Crete, Medical School, Vardinoyannion Eye Institute of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. vikatsan@med.uoc.gr
authors.forename: Vikentia J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Katsanevaki
authors.forename: Harilaos S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Ginis
authors.forename: Irini I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Naoumidi
authors.forename: Ioannis G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Pallikaris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002351:Carrageenan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000601:surgery; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D005782:Gels; D054018:Lasers, Excimer; D018903:Photorefractive Keratectomy / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D024042:Collagen Type I; D005782:Gels; D002351:Carrageenan