Abstract 52: An Animal Model Of Corneal Neurotisation Using The Thy1-GFP+ Rat To Further Investigate How Reinnervation Influences Corneal Health

signs of neuroma with chaotic nerve regeneration (multidirectional axonal regrowth confirmed by histology) extending from the proximal stump as early as 4 weeks. At 5 weeks, axons grew through the entirety of the 0.5 cm ANAs, with neuroma formation extending beyond the grafts. In the 2.5 and 5.0 cm ANAs, robust axonal regeneration was demonstrated in the proximal portions of the grafts with a gradual tapering of regeneration as it moved distally, and axons failed to grow beyond the grafts. At 20 weeks, gross visualization of Thy1-GFP labeled axons demonstrates that regeneration dwindles and terminates within 5.0 cm ANAs without neuroma formation. Further histological analysis is ongoing, as are additional 20 week experiments to evaluate controlled termination with histology and IHC.