Morphologic changes of corneal epithelial flap: ethanol-mediated versus mechanical removal
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Published on: December 29, 2021
Asadollah Katbab1, Seyed Mohammad Owji, Masoomeh Eghtedari
1Poostchi Eye Research Center, Ophthalmology and Pathology Departments, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Purpose:
To evaluate morphologic changes in human corneal epithelial flap removed mechanically or after ethanol application.
Method:
Epithelial corneal flap was removed after ethanol application (20 eyes) or mechanically (19 eyes). Any changes were studied by transmission electron microscopy.
Results:
Thirty-nine eyes were enrolled in the study. The following changes were found in the alcohol-applied group: apoptotic cells, membrane-bound blebs with marked dilatation of endoplasmic reticulum, and short intercellular cleavage with approximately one-third of cell length depth. In mechanical debridement, cleavages extended more than half of the cell length by tearing hemidesmosomes.
Conclusion:
Alcohol application leads to cell damage in basal epithelial cells but cleavage plane remains smooth. Generally, none of the methods caused trauma to the basement membrane.
