[The expression of extracellular matrix in epithelial ingrowth after LASIK].

Purpose: To observe the expression of extracellular matrix in cornea and its relationship with corneal opacity after epithelial ingrowth in LASIK.

Methods: Corneal flap was made on rabbit eyes, and epithelial cells mechanically scraped from surroundings the flap were implanted underneath. The corneas were harvested 1, 3, 7 and 30 days following surgery, histological and immunohistochemical examination was performed.

Results: On slit-lamp examination, corneal opacity was observed in the area where epithelial cells were implanted. Histological study revealed clusters of epithelial cells at the flap and stroma bed interface. One week and one month post-operation intense immunoreactivity for collagen type IV was detected at the perimeters of the intrastromal epithelial island, but not in the ordinary interface area, strong staining for collage type III was also observed around the epithelial islands.

Conclusion: The marked deposition of collagen type IV surrounding the ingrowth epithelial cells indicated that it might be the essential component of interface haze in epithelial ingrowth after LASIK.