Corneal wound healing in monkeys after repeated excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy

• Published in: Archives of ophthalmology (1960) Vol. 110; no. 9; p. 1286
• Main Authors: Hanna, K D, Pouliquen, Y M, Waring, 3rd, G O, Savoldelli, M, Fantes, F, Thompson, K P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1992
• Subjects: Animals; Basement Membrane - pathology; Cornea - pathology; Cornea - physiopathology; Cornea - surgery; Corneal Opacity - pathology; Corneal Stroma - pathology; Epithelium - pathology; Fibrosis; Laser Therapy; Macaca mulatta; Myopia - pathology; Myopia - physiopathology; Myopia - surgery; Reoperation; Wound Healing
• ISSN: 0003-9950
• DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1992.01080210104035

Five rhesus monkey eyes underwent repeated argon fluoride (193 nm) excimer laser myopic photorefractive keratectomy 3 months following an initial ablation that had produced mild subepithelial haze. At 3 months all eyes had development of a dense subepithelial opacity and a thickened epithelium (12 cells, 80 microns) with vacuolization of basal cells, fragmented basement membrane, and a layer of subepithelial fibrosis containing activated fibroblasts. By 6 months the opacity was clearing; epithelium was thinner (50 microns); subepithelial fibrosis was more lamellar. By 15 months only mild haze persisted clinically; epithelium was 30 microns thick, with persistent basal vacuolization and focal basement membrane disruption; subepithelial fibrous tissue was more organized. Early repeated excimer laser ablation of the monkey cornea apparently induces vigorous stromal wound healing. Use of shallower ablations, corticosteroids, or a longer delay between ablations may be necessary for repeated laser surgery to be practical clinically.