Corneal stroma regeneration in felines after supradescemetic keratoprosthesis implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To show corneal regeneration in 3 cats that underwent lamellar keratectomy (90%) depth during supradescemetic keratoprosthetic implantation.


METHODS
Three 2-year-old cats that underwent spontaneous keratoprosthesis extrusion between 15 and 150 days after implanting a supradescemetic prosthesis into their right eyes were studied. Corneal structures and stroma thickness were evaluated by slit-lamp photographs, pachymetry, and confocal microscopy. Regenerated corneal epithelial cells, stroma matrix, and keratocyte morphology were studied with histology and transmission electron microscopy. Epithelial and stromal cell immunocharacterization was performed.


RESULTS
Corneas progressively regained normal thickness and improved clarity within 40 to 60 days. Slit-lamp photographs and pachymetry showed gains in stromal thickness until 600 microm or more. In vivo confocal microscopy showed the restoration of normal epithelium and stroma in all cats. Corneal nerves were seen in the regenerated stroma of 2 cats. Immunostaining showed absent alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression and a keratin K3-expressing epithelium. Electron microscopy showed regeneration of normal epithelium with a well-formed basement membrane, organized corneal lamellae, and the presence of normal keratocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
Felines are capable of regenerating corneal structures including epithelium and reinnervated stroma matrix after deep lamellar keratectomy. The use of feline models in corneal keratoprosthesis is therefore questionable.
Acosta
Ana C
AC
Ophthalmic Biophysics Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Espana
Edgar M
EM
Stoiber
Josef
J
Lamar
Peggy D
PD
Marangon
Fabiana
F
Alfonso
Eduardo
E
Parel
Jean Marie
JM
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D053558:Keratin-3 / Q000378:metabolism; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000662:veterinary*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000662:veterinary*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*
D000199:Actins; D053558:Keratin-3