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[Experimental corneal histological study after thermokeratoplasty with holmium laser]
Ayala Espinosa MJ1, Alió Y Sanz J, M M Ismail
1Instituto Oftalmológico de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Alicante, España.
Purpose:
To analyze the histological results after application of LTK (Laser Thermal Keratoplasty). These changes explain the considerable regression of the refractive effect obtained.
Methods:
This is an experimental study in 25 eyes of albino rabbits after application of LTK, using the contralateral as a control. The histopathological evaluation was done at 12 hours, one week, one month, 3 months and 6 months of LTK spot application using various corneal stains.
Results:
At 12 hours there appears an intense intercellular edema and basophylia on the impact area, covering 100% of the stroma. After the first week a hyperplasia of the epithelium was found. At the first month there exists a gradual decrease of the basophylia, but the abnormal stromal structure remains. Over the third month, the collagen becomes acidophilous and with a laxer structure, thus showing the formation of new collagen. These changes remain constant at the 6th month.
Conclusion:
The non-contact LTK induces an intense tissular damage associated to an inflammatory reaction, prior to the formation of new collagen tissue, changing the anatomic image of the cornea. These changes cause the regression of the effect produced by the holmium laser.