title: Histological analysis of a cornea following experimental femtosecond laser ablation.
abstract: Corneal photorefractive surgery is currently performed by ablation of corneal stroma under the stromal flap. A stromal flap is created using a femtosecond (FS) laser or mechanical microkeratome, although the FS laser procedure is considered safer and more accurate. This review assesses and compares the use of FS laser versus mechanical microkeratome ablation for corneal stromal characteristics mainly examined by histology and cellular biological responses. Supporting data from our studies, using corneas of enucleated porcine eye globes, are included in this review. Histological analysis and experimental studies of cellular/tissue responses to FS laser irradiation should be further investigated, and the equipment used to perform these techniques should be improved.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama Japan; and †Takatsuki Eye Clinic, Osaka Japan.
authors.forename: Takayoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sumioka
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
authors.forename: Reiko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takatsuki
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.forename: Shizuya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saika
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D048988:Corneal Surgery, Laser; D006801:Humans; D054018:Lasers, Excimer / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing