Confocal Microscopic Findings Associated with LASIK Flap with Foreign Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Kim, Jae Sam; Hong, Jong Wook; Lee, Jong Soo

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society 2002;43(11):2265-2272.
Published online November 1, 2002.

Confocal Microscopic Findings Associated with LASIK Flap with Foreign Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Jae Sam Kim, Jong Wook Hong, Jong Soo Lee

¹Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Korea. hongjw@ns.kumc.co.kr
²Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Busan National University, Korea.

각막 상피를 삽입한 각막 간질에서의 Confocal Microscopy 소견

김재삼 ( Jae Sam Kim ) , 홍종욱 ( Jong Wook Hong ) , 이종수 ( Jong Soo Lee )

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the inflammatory response following the insertion of corneal epithelium into rabbit corneal stroma using confocal microscope. METHODS: Newzealand white rabbits were underwent corneal flap procedure using Microkeratome (Hansatome, Chiron, USA) and corneal epithelium was inserted. We divided the rabbits into three groups: Group A: flap only, Group B: flap with central epithelium insertion, Group C: flap with peripheral epithelium insertion. We examined the rabbit corneas at the time point of 4, 24, 72hours, 7days, and 1 month after surgery using confocal microscope and CD 11b immunohistochemical stain. RESULTS: At the early stage, the inflammatory cells were more frequently observed in the group C than in the group A and B, and at postoperative 72hours only in the group C. In stromal and total corneal thickness, there was a tendency of increase to the postoperative 24 hours and decrease in all groups, but the group C was more stronger tendency than other groups (P<0.05). There is no significant difference of the flap thickness among three groups (P>0.05). In immunohistochemical staining (CD11b), polynucleated cells and mast cells were more visible in group B and C than in group A. CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative inflammatory reaction of the LASIK flap may be related with corneal epithelial cells, and we think that more attention should be needed with the management of microkeratome.

Key Words: Confocal microscopy;Corneal epithelial cells;Wound healing response