Corneal lymphangiogenesis correlates closely with hemangiogenesis after keratoplasty.

Aim: To examine the relationship between corneal lymphangiogenesis and hemangiogenesis after keratoplasty.

Methods: Nineteen human corneas were obtained from 19 patients undergoing a second corneal transplantation in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center in 2005. Blood and lymphatic vessels in human transplanted corneas were identified by lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor (LYVE-1) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion modecule-1 (PECAM-1) immunohistochemistry, and double enzyme-histochemistry; then the association of corneal blood vessel counting (BVC) with lymphatic vessel counting (LVC) was examined.

Results: Corneal hemangiogenesis was present in 12 cases (63%), and lymphangiogenesis occurred in 5 cases (26%) human transplanted corneas. In addition, corneal lymphangiogenesis was only present in vascularized corneas. LVC was strongly and positively correlated with BVC (r=0.725, P<0.01).

Conclusion: Corneal lymphangiogenesis develops after keratoplasty and strongly associates with hemangiogenesis.