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Factors affecting corneal strip stroma-to-stroma adhesion
E P Perez1, B Viramontes, P Schor
1Stanford University School of Medicine, CA, USA.
Journal of Refractive Surgery (Thorofare, N.J. : 1995)
|August 12, 1998
Summary
Drying corneal tissue increases stromal adhesion, crucial for laser eye surgery. This study found that reduced water content significantly enhances the bond strength between corneal layers, likely due to increased ionic bonding.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Corneal Science
Background:
- Successful laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) relies on robust adhesion between the corneal flap and stromal bed.
- Current LASIK procedures require precise flap adherence without sutures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism underlying corneal flap adhesion to the stromal bed.
- To quantify the relationship between dehydration and stromal adhesion.
Main Methods:
- Bovine corneal stroma strips were dissected, split, and subjected to varying heat and drying treatments.
- Adhesive force was measured after treatment by pulling the strips apart.
Main Results:
- A strong linear correlation was observed between increased temperature and decreased water content (R² = 0.7414).
- A significant correlation was found between decreased water content and increased adhesive force (R² = 0.3355).
Conclusions:
- Drying enhances stromal-stromal adhesion in a model system.
- Increased concentration of high-charge-density surface molecules, facilitating ionic bonding, is proposed as the mechanism for enhanced adhesion.