Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the incision after implantation of intrastromal segments in the cornea of an animal model.
Methods: :
18 hens were used. The hens were divided into 6 groups of 3 related with the timing of euthanasia. One PMMA segment was introduced in each eye at 80% corneal thickness (250-300µm) closely mimicking the Ferrara technique for intrastromal segment implantation performed in humans. The time of epithelial closure was measured with fluorescein. Stromal incision, channel evolution, haze and complications like inflammation and infections were evaluated daily under surgical microscope and slit lamp the first two weeks. At 4, 24, 48 hours and 7,15 days and 1 month the hens of each group were sacrificed , later, the corneas were removed and fixed for histopathology analysis (Hematoxiline and Eosine, Inmunochemistry with antiBrdu antibody and anti -Cytoqueratine AE1/AE3
Results: :
The time of epithelial incision closure measured by the fluorescein stain was 7±2 days. A persistent stromal incision (fish mouth form) was observed in most of the corneas for 15 days. In regard to the histological analysis we observed epithelium ingrowth (Citokeratine positive cells) with epithelial cells in the stroma on slides from 4, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours, and 7days the wound was closed with epithelium thickening .Maximum epithelial and stromal cell proliferation were observed in the incision and around the channel at 72h and decreased on day 7.We observed tunnel cells during 7 days and proliferation which decrease until first 7 days.
Conclusions: :
These results showed the important role of the epithelium for the proper closure of the incision and as well as stromal wound healing around the incisión
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • wound healing • keratoconus