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Effects of surface topography on corneal epithelialization in vivo: a preliminary study
R Z Xie1, D F Sweeney, H J Griesser
1Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. t.xie@cclru.unsw.edu.au
Purpose:
In this study we investigated the relationship between surface topography and initial epithelialization of synthetic lenticules in vivo.
Methods:
Millipore ultrafiltration membranes of three different pore sizes were used as model lenticule materials. The nominal membrane pore sizes were 0.1 microm, 0.45 microm, and 3 microm; the surface roughness increased in the same order The membranes were coated with a thin layer of collagen I and implanted in a circular pocket of the anterior cornea of adult cats, and were clinically evaluated for the extent of epithelialization and the persistence of epithelial attachment.
Results/Conclusions:
It was demonstrated that a smooth surface appears more attractive for initial epithelialization than a rough surface in vivo.