Choroidal neovascular membranes treated with photodynamic therapy.

copy, Vesaluoma et al found loss of keratocytes in the anterior layers of the flap 6 months postoperatively that persisted for up to 2 years. Whether this is the result of apoptosis of keratocytes, lack of communication with lost sensory stromal nerves, or something else has not been determined. Mitooka et al, using confocal microscopy, confirmed this finding and also found fewer keratocytes in the area beneath the flap. Although the Bodian stain showed a paucity of nerve fibers in the flap, 2 cases of corneal blood staining from our laboratory that had not undergone LASIK also had few corneal nerves crossing the Bowman layer, so conclusions about corneal nerve degeneration after LASIK cannot be established from this case. The vivid staining of the hemoglobin particles with the Masson trichrome stain compared with their almost complete lack of visibility with hematoxylin-eosin was remarkable and demonstrates another histologic method to evaluate corneal blood staining. Another interesting feature in this case was the apparent barrier to blood staining at the interface of the LASIK flap with the underlying corneal stroma.