ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF INTRASTROMAL CORNEAL RINGS EXPLANTED FROM NONFUNCTIONAL HUMAN EYES

BACKGROUND: Intrastromal corneal rings (ICRs) often exhibit small depo sits in association with their suture holes. We assessed the morpholog y of four such deposits. METHODS: Four ICRs, explanted from nonfunctio nal human eyes, were examined by scanning electron microscopy and tran smission electron microscopy. RESULTS: The surface of the suture hole deposits consisted of a disorganized convolution of collagenous lamell ae. Within individual lamellae, however, the collagen fibrils tended t o orientate parallel with one another. The deposits consisted of an am orphous material interspersed with curved cellular processes, collagen fibrils of variable diameter, and proteoglycan macromolecules. CONCLU SIONS: We propose that the mechanism which regulates stromal remodelin g is amended in the region of the ICR suture holes. Due to their locat ion, suture hole deposits have no optical significance; however, evalu ation of their morphology provides insights into the wound-healing pro perties of the corneal stroma following ICR insertion.