Clinical Science
Manuel Ramírez, MD; Everardo Hernández-Quintela, MD, MSc; Ramón Naranjo-Tackman, MD
- Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging
- July/August 2012 - Volume 43 · Issue 4: 319-322
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DOI: 10.3928/15428877-20120618-03
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the confocal microscopy findings at the corneal epithelium and anterior stroma after epi-LASIK.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:Twelve eyes of 12 patients underwent epi-LASIK. A central scan of the total corneal thickness was taken with the confocal microscope before and at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery. Corneal epithelial thickness was measured and the anterior stroma morphology was also analyzed.
RESULTS:Mean epithelial thickness was 46.5 ± 5.5 μm before surgery. It had decreased by 23.4% (35.6 ± 5.6 μm) at 2 weeks and by 22.1% (36.2 ± 5 μm) at 1 month postoperatively, compared with the preoperative measurement. The change in thickness was statistically significant. The anterior stroma showed keratocyte activation at 2 weeks and 1 month after surgery.
CONCLUSION:Corneal epithelial thickness was decreased up to 1 month after surgery. The stromal ablation zone showed keratocyte activation in both postoperative measurements.
AUTHORS
From the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México, Hospital “Luis Sánchez Bulnes,” Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City, México.
Supported by Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México I.A.P., Mexico City, México.
The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in the materials presented herein.
Address correspondence to Manuel Ramírez, MD, Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México Hospital “Luis Sánchez Bulnes,” Vicente García Torres # 46, San Lucas Coyoacán 04030, México City, México. E-mail: mramirez-f@prodigy.net.mx
Received: February 28, 2012
Accepted: March 18, 2012
doi: 10.3928/15428877-20120618-03