In vivo laser confocal microscopic analysis of corneal K-structures after keratorefractive surgery (LASIK and epi-LASIK).

摘要

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate alterations of corneal K-structures (sub-Bowman's fibrous structures) after keratorefractive surgery by in vivo laser confocal microscopy and to look for association of K-structures with fluorescein-stained anterior corneal mosaic (ACM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five patients (nine eyes) participated in this study. For four patients, one eye was evaluated after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and the other after epipolis-laser in situ keratomileusis (epi-LASIK). For one patient, the left eye was evaluated after epithelial debridement. A photograph of the ACM was obtained. Central corneal regions were scanned by Heidelberg Retina Tomograph 2 Rostock Cornea Module (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany). RESULTS: The ACM and K-structures disappeared in all corneas after epi-LASIK, but not after LASIK and epithelial debridement cornea. CONCLUSION: The presence of K-structures and ACM may be an index to identify eyes that had a previous refractive surgical procedure (surface ablation or LASIK) and be a health index of Bowman layer and adjacent anterior stroma.