PRESENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF HYALURONAN IN HUMAN CORNEAS AFTER PHOTOTHERAPEUTIC KERATECTOMY

Purpose: To evaluate the reactive hyaluronan (HA) formation in the hum an cornea following excimer laser surgery. Methods: Fourteen patients underwent phototherapeutic keratectomy in order to remove corneal opac ifications caused by a range of diseases. A penetrating corneal transp lantation was performed between 6 and 44 months later because of unsat isfactory visual outcome. The corneal buttons were fixed in 4% formald ehyde containing 1% cetylpyridine chloride. The histological sections were stained for the presence of hyaluronan. Results: Hyaluronan was f ound in the subepithelial region of the ablated area in thirteen out o f fourteen human corneal specimens. It was present as long as 44 month s after surgery and it is found despite of topical steroid treatment p ostoperatively. Conclusion: The human cornea commonly reacts to excime r laser surgery by the formation of hyaluronan.