EFFECTS OF BIOLOGICALLY MODIFIED SURFACES OF SYNTHETIC LENTICULES ON CORNEAL EPITHELIALIZATION IN-VIVO

Purpose: The present study investigated the association of extracellul ar matrix (ECM) glycoprotein coatings with initial epithelialization o f artificial lenticules in vivo. Methods: Collagen I, collagen IV, ECM and fibronectin were individually coated onto the surface of polycarb onate membranes. The membranes were then implanted in the anterior str oma of adult cats and were clinically assessed for rapidity and extent of epithelialization and the persistence of epithelial attachment. Re sults/Conclusions: It was demonstrated that membrane surfaces modified by collagen I, collagen IV and ECM consistently supported initial mig ration and attachment of corneal epithelial cells and that the surface modified with collagen I performed best.