Reinnervation in the Cornea after LASIK

摘要: PURPOSE Nerve fibers in the cornea are disrupted by photorefractive procedures. In this study, denervation and reinnervation of human central corneas were evaluated sequential, quantitative measurements nerves viewed confocal microscopy vivo during first year after LASIK. METHODS Seventeen eyes studied 11 patients who had undergone LASIK to correct myopia from -2.0 D -11.0 D. Eyes treated with an excimer laser a planned 180- micro m flap. Central scanned throughout their full thicknesses before at 1 week 1, 3, 6, 12 months fiber bundles appeared as bright, well-defined, linear structures that sometimes branched usually several consecutive frames. The number nerve per scan two eight scans eye visit was determined subbasal region, full-thickness stroma, stromal flap (layer between most anterior keratocyte interface), bed interface endothelium). RESULTS decreased more than 90% significantly lower all times surgery it (P < 0.001). It increased 6 LASIK, but remained less half preoperative value. flap, also 0.001) did not increase year. bed, there no significant differences among any = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS corneal decreases immediately During gradually return, although remains