Delay in Epithelial Recovery After Corneal Refractive Surgery Increase Haze

Abstract

Purpose: : The aim of this work was to correlate the epithelium healing with the stromal healing in hens

Methods: : Thirty adult lohmann classic hens (60 eyes) were used. A mechanical deepithelization was made in a pre-marked area of 7 mm of diameter. PRK was performed in a 5.0-mm diameter optical zone and received -5.00 D of treatment (63 µm) using a Summit excimer laser. Animals were explored for epithelial closure, presence of haze and Histological changes. Epithelium closure was recorded with fluorescein dye under a surgical microscope with an incorporated digital camera at the following time points: 12, 24, 32, 40, 48 and 56 hours. Eyes were classified in four groups according the final time of epithelium closure: 32 hours (group 1), 40 hours (group 2), 48 hours (group 3) and 56 hours (groups 4).Haze was graded by method of Fantes (0-4; 0=clear cornea, 4 = Severely dense opacity) at 6, 15, 23 and 30 days after surgery.Corneas underwent pathology studies at 1 month and 3 months after surgery.Spearman correlation coefficient was assessed between day of epithelial recovery and haze. Descriptive study was performed for histology.

Results: : A positive correlation with statistical significant relation (p<0.05) was observed between the time of epithelium closure and grade of haze.New matrix production and increase in cell density in the anterior stroma was higher in group 4> group 3> group 2> group 1 one month after surgery.

Conclusions: : A rapid closure of epithelium integrity is necessary in order to decrease the grade of haze after corneal refractive surgery.

Keywords: antibiotics/antifungals/antiparasitics • cornea: stroma and keratocytes • drug toxicity/drug effects