Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2012, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (20): 1556-1562.

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Corneal subbasal nerve fiber regeneration in myopic patients after laser in situ keratomileusis

Shijing Deng1, Mengmeng Wang2, Fengju Zhang2, Xuguang Sun1, Wenbo Hou1, Ning Guo2   

  1. 1  Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China
    2  Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China
  • Received:2012-04-29 Revised:2012-06-23 Online:2012-07-15 Published:2012-07-15
  • Contact: Fengju Zhang, M.D., Professor, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China wxw93@hotmail.com
  • About author:Shijing Deng★, Master, Attending physician, Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China

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Abstract:

A total of 26 myopic patients (52 eyes) underwent laser in situ keratomileusis. In vivo confocal mi-croscopy revealed that most of the regenerated corneal subbasal nerve fibers in the corneal flap originated from the stump of corneal subbasal nerve fibers outside the ablation zone and extended towards the center of the cornea in all patients. Meanwhile, new fibers were also found to directly regenerate from deep in the stroma in some cases. Approximately 94% of regenerated corneal subbasal nerve fibers (73/78 eyes) regrew vertically into the peripheral central 6-mm circle area 1 month after surgery, 78% (28/36 eyes) grew into the central 3-6 mm area at 2 months, and 23% into the central 3-mm circle area at 3 months. In addition, there was no significant difference in corneal subbasal nerve fiber regenerative capacity between the basic fibroblast growth factor group and the 20% (v/v) deproteinized extract of calf blood group. The majority of corneal subbasal nerve fiber regeneration occurred from the stump of corneal subbasal nerve fibers outside the corneal flap, and the remaining growth occurred deep within the stroma.

Key words: subbasal nerve fibers, confocal microscopy, cornea, regeneration, keratomileusis, basic fibroblast growth factor, neural regeneration