Corneal wound healing after laser in situ keratomileusis in rabbits

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to characterize the cell biology of w ound healing in rabbit corneas subjected to laser in situ keratomileusis (L ASIK). METHODS: Rabbit corneas underwent LASIK with various multizone photoablatio ns or only a lamellar keratotomy followed by repositioning of the flap. We looked for indications for an active wound healing process, Immunohistochem istry for the extradomain A cellular fibronectin (EDA-cFn) or tenascin (Tn) and routine histology were examined. RESULTS: Four days after LASIK or lamellar keratotomy followed by repositio ning of the flap, epithelial plugs and prominent keratocytes as well as Tn and EDA-cFn immunoreactions-indicative of a wound-healing process-appeared in the wound margins. Epithelial plugs were less conspicous, and prominent, presumably activated, keratocytes were no longer identified at the wound m argin at 2.5 and 5 months after wounding. However, EDA-cFn and Tn immunorea ctivities could still be observed. Only the stromal cells located in the pe riphery of the flap and in relatively close contact with the epithelium wer e surrounded by scar tissue expressing immunoreactivity for EDA-cFn or Tn. The central corneal stroma was devoid of scar tissue, CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the wound healing reaction after LASIK ta kes place only at the periphery of the microkeratome wound, leaving the cen tral optical zone clear.