[Effect of trigeminal denervation on rabbit corneal epithelium]

To investigate the effects of trigeminal denervation on the corneal epithelium, left postganglionic trigeminal neurotomy via intracranial approach was performed in 22 rabbits. Among 16 rabbits survived successfully, 13 denervated eyes (81%) showed corneal epithelial abnormalities that included 4 epithelial defects and 9 epithelial opacities. The remaining 3 eyes were normal. Histological examination showed many atrophic epithelial cells and the thinning of the corneal epithelial layer in the denervated eyes with corneal opacities. There was no abnormality in corneal stroma or endothelium. The ratio of epithelial to total corneal thickness calculated by a computer-assisted image analyzer was 6.5 +/- 2.1 (%) in control eyes and 3.8 +/- 1.9 (%) in the denervated eyes, the two values being significantly statistically different (p less than 0.001).