AIM To evaluate the histological changes after transepithelial corneal crosslinking (CXL) using partial thickness excimer laser ablation or epithelial ethanol application in an experimental rabbit study. METHODS Right eyes of twenty-four rabbits were studied. Four eyes received total epithelial debridement (group I). Four eyes received partial thickness epithelial ablation with excimer laser ...

Keratoconus is an ectatic corneal dystrophy associated with stromal thinning and disruption of Bowman's layer. The purpose of this study was to explore a possible association between keratocyte apoptosis and keratoconus. Keratocyte apoptosis was evaluated in corneas of patients with keratoconus, corneas of patients with stromal dystrophies, and normal donor corneas using the transferase-mediate...

purpose: to compare keratocyte density in stromal layers of the cornea in keratoconus, post-lasik keratectasia, lasik without keratectasia, and normal corneas by confocal scan. methods: thirty-one unscarred corneas from 22 patients with keratoconus, 24 clear corneas from 17 cases with post-lasik keratectasia, 12 corneas from 7 lasik cases without keratectasia, and 26 corneas from 13 normal subj...

PURPOSE To evaluate the long-term side effects of mitomycin C (MMC) assisted photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on corneal keratocytes of highly myopic eyes. METHODS Twenty-eight patients with bilateral myopia from -7.00 to -14.25 diopters (D) underwent PRK on both eyes, one eye of each patient received topical application of 0.02% MMC for 2 minutes immediately after the PRK procedure. Corneal...

PURPOSE To quantitatively analyze laser scanning in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) images of all corneal layers in contact lens-wearing and noncontact lens-wearing keratoconus patients. METHODS The study population included rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens-wearing keratoconus patients (group 1; N = 29), keratoconus patients who did not wear contact lenses (group 2; N = 30), and subject...

PURPOSE To evaluate a novel 3D culture model of the corneal stroma and apply it to investigate how key wound-healing growth factors regulate the mechanics of corneal keratocyte migration. METHODS Rabbit corneal keratocytes were seeded within collagen matrices that were compacted using external compression. Six-millimeter-diameter buttons were then incubated in media supplemented with 10% FBS,...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine whether myofibroblast differentiation altered keratocyte crystallin protein concentration and increased cellular light scattering. METHODS Serum-free cultured rabbit corneal keratocytes and TGFβ (5 ng/mL) induced myofibroblasts were harvested and counted and protein/RNA extracted. Expression of myofibroblast and keratocyte markers was determi...

PURPOSE To investigate corneal healing and the factor(s) possibly responsible for refractive changes after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS Twenty eyes of 10 patients who underwent LASIK for myopia were examined clinically and by real-time confocal microscopy for 6 months. Epithelial and posterior stromal thicknesses and the thickness of the keratocyte activation zone were measur...

PURPOSE To investigate the potential of human corneal stromal stem cells to assume a keratocyte phenotype and to organize extracellular matrix (ECM) in vitro similar to corneal stromal tissue. METHODS Human corneal stromal stem cells (hCSSC) were isolated as side population cells by flow cytometry. Cloned hCSSC were cultured as free-floating pellets in serum-free media for 3 weeks. Gene expre...

BACKGROUND Keratoplasty is the most effective treatment for corneal blindness, but suboptimal medical conditions and lack of qualified medical personnel and donated cornea often prevent the performance of corneal transplantation in developing countries. Our study aims to develop alternative treatment regimens for congenital corneal diseases of genetic mutation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS ...