Electron microscopy of corneal surface microdiathermy

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Biology
• Tissue Repair

Background:

• Recurrent corneal epithelial erosion is a persistent condition.
• Microdiathermy shows promise in treating this condition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the mechanism of microdiathermy's action on the cornea.
• To study corneal tissue repair following microdiathermy treatment.

Main Methods:

• Rabbit eyes were treated with microdiathermy.
• Corneal tissue repair was analyzed using electron microscopy.

Main Results:

• Initial damage (edema, necrosis) was followed by epithelial healing and hemidesmosome presence within 24 hours.
• At two weeks, epithelial undulation and lamina densa disruption occurred with fibroblast activation.
• By four weeks, new lamina densa deposition and a connective tissue zone formed, with hemidesmosomes appearing in new areas.

Conclusions:

• Microdiathermy induces the secretion of a new connective tissue layer by epithelium and fibroblasts.
• This layer acts as a substrate for epithelial adhesion, facilitating new lamina densa and hemidesmosome formation.
• The process ultimately restores corneal epithelial integrity in recurrent erosion.