Epi-LASIK: a confocal microscopy analysis of the corneal epithelium and anterior stroma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the confocal microscopy findings at the corneal epithelium and anterior stroma after epi-LASIK.


METHODS
Twelve eyes of 12 patients underwent epi-LASIK. A central scan of the total corneal thickness was taken with the confocal microscope before and at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery. Corneal epithelial thickness was measured and the anterior stroma morphology was also analyzed.


RESULTS
Mean epithelial thickness was 46.5 ± 5.5 μm before surgery. It had decreased by 23.4% (35.6 ± 5.6 μm) at 2 weeks and by 22.1% (36.2 ± 5 μm) at 1 month postoperatively, compared with the preoperative measurement. The change in thickness was statistically significant. The anterior stroma showed keratocyte activation at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal epithelial thickness was decreased up to 1 month after surgery. The stromal ablation zone showed keratocyte activation in both postoperative measurements.
Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México, Hospital Luis Sánchez Bulnes, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México. mramirez-f@prodigy.net.mx
Manuel
M
Ramírez
Everardo
E
Hernández-Quintela
Ramón
R
Naranjo-Tackman
D060527:Corneal Keratocytes; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000379:methods*; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology