Different epithelial cleavage planes produced by various epikeratomes in epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the anatomic cleavage planes produced by various epikeratomes in epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis (epi-LASIK).


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, IIsan Paik Hospital, Goyang, Korea.


METHODS
Sixteen eyes (8 patients) were included in this study. Three epikeratomes, the Moria Epi-K, Centurion SES, and Amadeus II, were used to collect 4 epithelial flaps from 2 patients in the epi-LASIK procedure. Four epithelial flaps from 2 patients were also obtained by laser-assisted subepithelial keratectomy (LASEK). Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies against integrin beta1, integrin beta4, laminin 5, and collagen type VII was performed.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining showed expression of integrin beta1 and integrin beta4 in all epithelial flaps. In epi-LASIK, the expression of laminin 5 and collagen type VII had a linear or dotted pattern that differed based on the epikeratome used. In the epithelial flaps obtained using LASEK, the expression of laminin 5 and collagen type VII had a dotted pattern.


CONCLUSIONS
Each epikeratome yielded reproducible but different cleavage planes of corneal epithelium. The results suggest that further study is needed to elucidate the wound-healing process after epi-LASIK because different cleavage planes produced by different epikeratomes may influence the process.
Choi
Suk Kyue
SK
Department of Ophthalmology, Ilsan Paik Hospital, College of Medicine, Inje University, Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang, Korea.
Kim
Jin Hyoung
JH
Lee
Doh
D
Lee
Jae Bum
JB
Kim
Hyo Myung
HM
Tchah
Hung Won
HW
Hahn
Tae Won
TW
Joo
Mee
M
Ha
Chang Il
CI
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D024143:Collagen Type VII / Q000378:metabolism; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000378:metabolism; D039663:Integrin beta4 / Q000378:metabolism; D049008:Keratectomy, Subepithelial, Laser-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D014945:Wound Healing; D000097794:Kalinin
D015415:Biomarkers; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D024143:Collagen Type VII; D019012:Integrin beta1; D039663:Integrin beta4; D000097794:Kalinin