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Keratocyte density in the retroablation area after LASEK for the correction of myopia

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Abstract

Purpose

During excimer laser photoablation keratocyte cell death is induced in the retroablation area. Afterwards this area is repopulated by keratocyte mitosis and migration from the adjacent stroma. The aim of this study was to investigate keratocyte density in the retroablation area and in the posterior stroma during the first year after LASEK for the correction of myopia.

Methods

In a prospective study LASEK surgery was performed in 17 eyes of 10 consecutive patients for the correction of myopia (−2.25 D to −9.0 D, mean −5.0 D). Confocal microscopy (Nidek Confoscan 2) was performed before surgery and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after LASEK. Keratocyte density was assessed in the anterior retroablation area at depths of 5 μm and 25 μm and in the posterior stroma at distances of 5 μm and 100 μm from the corneal endothelium and compared with the corresponding area before surgery.

Results

Keratocyte density was statistically significant reduced in the retroablation area at all timepoints after LASEK. At a depth of 5 μm, cell densities were decreased by 64%, 47%, 43%, and 28% at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after LASEK compared with preoperative values. At a depth of 25 μm, cell densities were decreased by 51%, 32%, 28%, and 18% at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after LASEK compared with preoperative values. In the posterior stroma no significant change in keratocyte density was observed at any time after LASEK.

Conclusions

Keratocyte density in the anterior retroablation area recovers during the first year after LASEK for the correction of myopia, but does not go back to preoperative values.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Eye Clinic, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss Allee 11, 93042, Regensburg, Germany

    Wolfgang Artur Herrmann & Veit Peter Gabel

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Military Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany

    Manuela Muecke

  3. Center for Clinical Studies, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany

    Michael Koller

  4. University Eye Clinic, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Chris Patrick Lohmann

Authors
  1. Wolfgang Artur Herrmann
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  2. Manuela Muecke
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  3. Michael Koller
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  4. Veit Peter Gabel
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  5. Chris Patrick Lohmann
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Correspondence to Wolfgang Artur Herrmann.

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Herrmann, W.A., Muecke, M., Koller, M. et al. Keratocyte density in the retroablation area after LASEK for the correction of myopia. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 245, 426–430 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0344-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0344-0

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