Prevention of keratocyte loss after corneal deepithelialization in rabbits.

Purpose: To determine if keratocyte loss, after removal of the corneal epithelium, can be prevented by a collagen shield used alone or in combination with a topically applied corneal preservation medium.

Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were divided into six groups of four rabbits each. The central 6 mm of corneal epithelium was removed from one eye of each animal by means of a blunt spatula.

Effect of diclofenac on corneal haze after photorefractive keratectomy in rabbits.

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of topical diclofenac to decrease corneal opacity after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Methods: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits underwent a unilateral 193-nm excimer laser myopic photorefractive keratectomy to correct 5 diopters. There were four groups of five rabbits each.

Immunochemistry with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine for visualization of mitotic cells in the corneal epithelium.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the DNA of mitotic cells in the corneal and conjunctival epithelium can be labeled with 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunostaining. Both corneas of four New Zealand white rabbits were deepithelialized in the center and the regenerated epithelium was evaluated for mitosis at 1, 3, 6, and 10 days. Unwounded corneas of three rabbits were labeled for baseline measurements.

Decrease in normal human corneal sensitivity with topical diclofenac sodium.

We tested the effect of topical diclofenac sodium on corneal sensitivity in the human eye. Corneal sensitivity was measured in ten adult subjects with the Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer before, and immediately after, applying one drop of diclofenac sodium 0.1% in one eye and one drop of diclofenac vehicle in the other eye.

Keratocyte loss and repopulation of anterior corneal stroma after de-epithelialization.

Objective: To quantitate corneal keratocyte loss and repopulation of anterior stroma after de-epithelialization.

Methods: Fourteen white New Zealand rabbits, each weighing 2.3 to 3.

Prostaglandin E2 production after lamellar keratectomy and photorefractive keratectomy.

Purpose: To compare the levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in corneal tissue after 193-nanometer excimer laser keratectomy and mechanical keratectomy with a microkeratome.

Methods: Four rabbits underwent 193-nanometer excimer laser phototherapeutic keratectomy on one eye, and lamellar keratectomy with the microkeratome on the fellow eye. The corneas were harvested at 10 hours after the treatment and quantitated for PGE2 levels using an enzyme-linked immune assay.

Corneal tensile strength in fully healed radial keratotomy wounds.

Purpose: To investigate the susceptibility to rupture of a human donor cornea with fully healed radial keratotomy (RK) incisions using biomechanical measurement methods and finite element analysis.

Methods: A human cornea 8 years after RK was cut into four strips and subjected to tensile testing until rupture occurred. The fellow cornea was pressurized on an artificial anterior chamber beyond the initiation of wound gape.

Keratitis as a complication of bilateral, simultaneous radial keratotomy.

During a one-month period, we examined four patients referred for evaluation of probable microbial keratitis after bilateral, simultaneous radial keratotomy. Each patient had midstromal infiltrates compatible with microbial keratitis that involved one or more of the radial incisions. In two patients the keratitis was bilateral.

Keratocyte loss after corneal deepithelialization in primates and rabbits.

Purpose: To evaluate the response of stromal keratocytes to central corneal deepithelialization.

Methods: Rabbits and monkeys underwent unilateral mechanical deepithelialization with a blunt instrument and were killed at intervals ranging from 15 minutes to 24 hours after surgery. Two rabbits underwent unilateral deepithelialization under a fluid bath containing corneal preservation medium.

Topical diclofenac treatment prior to excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy in rabbits.

Purpose: This study sought to determine whether pre- and posttreatment with topical diclofenac sodium 0.1% eye drops suppresses corneal inflammation after 193-nanometer excimer laser corneal ablation more effectively than does posttreatment alone.

Methods: Eight rabbits were divided into four groups.

Arachidonic acid metabolites after excimer laser corneal surgery.

Objective: We investigated early mediators of inflammation following excimer laser ablation in a rabbit cornea model. The ability of topical anti-inflammatory agents to influence these responses was also examined.

Methods: Adult New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to photorefractive keratectomy with a 193-nm argon fluoride excimer laser.

Clinical follow-up of phototherapeutic keratectomy for treatment of corneal opacities.

We performed phototherapeutic keratectomy with a 193-nm excimer laser on 18 sighted patients (18 eyes) to treat corneal opacities. The corneal opacities were caused by corneal dystrophies in five patients; corneal scars secondary to corneal ulcers in six patients; corneal scar secondary to trauma in four patients; and band keratopathy, atopy, or corneal calcification in three patients. Mean follow-up was eight months (range, two to 18 months).