Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Studies of Rabbit Corneas After Photorefractive Keratectomy

Summary

A new surgical technique for the treatment of myopia is necessary to prevent the markedly delayed onset of side effects and to prolong the stability of the refractive results. The excimer laser removes a certain amount of stromal tissue, with the healing response resulting in the loss of some corneal transparency. The purpose of our study was to investigate the corneal subepithelial haze of the rabbit eye after excimer laser ablation. The results of histochemical and immunohistochemical studies suggested that large amounts of molecular proteoglycan with chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid were localized in the subepithelial haze area. Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor were positively stained for each antibody at the epithelial layer and subepithelial haze area. However, anti-TGF-ß antibody reacted weakly in both layers.