Experimental model of laser in situ keratomileusis in hens.

Purpose: To develop an experimental animal model of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in hens.

Methods: One hundred adult hens underwent a 60-microm corneal flap followed by -4 diopter excimer laser ablation. Surgical technique, clinical course, and pathology correlations are presented.

Results: Sixty percent of animals had a successful LASIK outcome according to clinical observations. Pathology showed the integrity of Bowman's layer and homogeneous flap in all eyes with good clinical outcomes. Flap complications such as buttonholes (5%), free-flaps (2%), and slipped flaps (3.4%) occurred with the surgical technique. Corneal abscess (2.9%) was also present. Loss of transparency was noted in 26.4%, which correlates with epithelial ingrowth detected by light histology study.

Conclusions: An experimental animal model of LASIK was successfully developed in adult hens. This model could be useful in the study of wound healing and pharmacological modulation after LASIK in an animal with Bowman's layer.