PURPOSE To investigate the protein level of matrilysin and stromelysin-1 and the gene expression of matrilysin in rat corneas after excimer keratectomy using immunofluorescence staining, reverse transcriptase-polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR), and in situ hybridization. METHODS Rat corneas were treated with 3-mm excimer laser keratectomy (193-nm ArF). Unwounded corneas served as controls. Co...

BACKGROUND A return toward toward photorefractive keratectomy has occurred due to better corneal stability and fewer corneal flap complications; however, pain remains a major drawback of the procedure. Currently, clinical pain control measures focus on the administration of pain medications, which may delay corneal epithelial healing and has, occasionally, led to serious corneal toxicity. OBJ...

PURPOSE In a prior study, it was reported that both TGF-beta receptors type-I and -II are upregulated after wounding, suggesting that TGF-beta signaling may play a role in corneal epithelial repair. The Smad proteins, which translocate into the nucleus after activation of the TGF-beta receptors, are key factors in the major TGF-beta signaling pathway. The present study was undertaken to examine...

AIMS To evaluate the efficacy and safety of diamond burr superficial keratectomy in the treatment of recurrent corneal erosions. METHODS A retrospective review of 54 eyes (47 patients) with recurrent corneal erosions treated with diamond burr superficial keratectomy. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuities and refractions, slit lamp examination findings, and the incidence of recurrent ...

BACKGROUND One human pathology specimen has been studied previously following the use of the excimer laser for the correction of astigmatism. We report histopathologic findings following linear corneal excisions with the excimer laser. METHODS A 193 nm excimer laser was used to create symmetrical, transverse excisions in a human eye to correct astigmatism. Three months later, a full-thickness...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Epithelial debridement for photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is associated with pain, slower visual recovery, and may be aetiological in haze production. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical results of a new technique involving raising and replacing of an epithelial flap in photorefractive keratectomy. METHODS A prospective, non-randomised, comparative, paired eye ...

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) in treating epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD). METHODS Preoperative and postoperative records were reviewed for 58 eyes of 51 patients with >3 months follow-up (range 3-170 months) treated for EBMD with PTK after failure of conservative medical treatment at Byers Eye Inst...