Abstract:
Purpose. To study the healing process in cultured human corneas after Qswitched Er:YAG laser ablation. Methods. Fresh human cadaver corneas within were ablated with a Q-switched Er:YAG laser at 2.94 m wavelength. (100ns, 1 Hz) The radiant exposure was 500 mJ/cm2. A focal crater was created using between 60 and 80 pulses. A linear incision was also formed by slowly scanning the laser over the corneal surface. Each cornea was cultured on a tissue supporting frame immediately after the ablation. Culture media consisted of 92% minimum essential media, 8% fetal bovine serum, 0.125% HEPES buffer solution, 0.125% gentamicin, and 0.05% fungizone. The entire tissue frame and media container were kept in an incubator at 37°C and 5% C02. Serial macroscopic photographs of the cultured corneas were taken during the healing process. Histology was performed after 17 days of culture. Results. At 3 days, a transient haze was observed within the craters which then resolved between 7 and 14 days. No haze was seen along the linear incision. Histologie sections of the cornea showed complete re-epithelialization of the lased area. The endothelium appeared unaffected. Conclusions. Cultured human corneas may provide useful information regarding the healing process following laser ablation.
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