title: A microscopy study of the structural features of post-LASIK human corneas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the structural features of human post-LASIK corneas.
  
  
  METHODS
  A pair of post-mortem donor corneas, from a 55-year old patient who underwent uncomplicated LASIK surgery five years previously, were bisected and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde. The right cornea and one half of the left cornea were processed for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. One half of the right cornea was also examined by transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The flap-bed interface could be easily detected several years after LASIK and, although the flap appeared to be in close association with the stromal bed, there was a noticeable absence of reconnection between adjacent severed lamellae. Tissue gaps were evident at the flap margin, which once free of cellular components revealed the presence of a few bridging fibres.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Examination of corneas five years after LASIK revealed evidence of primitive reparative scar development at the wound interface, but no reconnection of severed collagen lamellae. Such findings may explain the occurrence of flap dislocation following trauma in some patients months or years after surgery.
authors: Structural Biophysics Research Group, School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Abahussin
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Hayes
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Edelhauser
authors: Daniel G
authors: DG
authors: Dawson
authors: Keith M
authors: KM
authors: Meek
mesh_terms: D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen
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