Corneal stroma regeneration in felines after supradescemetic keratoprosthesis implantation

Mapping the entire nerve architecture of the cat cornea

OBJECTIVE

To provide a complete nerve architecture and neuropeptide distribution in the cat cornea.

ANIMALS STUDIED

Two adult domestic cats.

PROCEDURE

The cat corneas were stained with protein gene product (PGP) 9.5 antibody-a pan marker for nerve fibers-and then divided into four quarters and double labeled with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) or substance P (SP) antibodies. Relative corneal nerve fiber densities and nerve terminals were evaluated in whole mount images by computer-assisted analysis.

RESULTS

An average of 21.5 ± 2.1 thick stromal nerves enters the cornea around the limbus where they split into many branches going up to the anterior stroma. Some branches link to each other, but most of them penetrate the basement membrane in the periphery to give origin to subbasal bundles, which run centripetally and merge to form a whirl-like structure (vortex) at the center. These nerve bundles send out many fine terminals that innervate the epithelial cells. Subbasal nerve density and nerve terminals were greater in the center than in the periphery of the cornea. Additionally, CGRP-positive central epithelial nerve fibers and terminals were more abundant than SP-positive nerves and terminals.

CONCLUSION

The architecture of cat corneal nerves shows similarities to human and mouse cornea innervation. This study provides useful data for researchers who use the cat model to assess corneal nerve pathological alterations, as well as in the veterinary field where corneal opacities, ulcerations, and infections damage the nerves and decrease sensitivity.

Partial-thickness corneal tissue restoration after a chemical burn

Purpose

We describe a case of full-thickness corneal restoration after an acute corneal burn with an acid agent.

Methods

A 32-year-old male reported painful discomfort, redness, photophobia, and a decrease in visual acuity in the left eye after a unilateral burn with an acid agent. Slit-lamp examination revealed massive corneal melting involving necrotic sequestrum of the entire corneal surface. Surgical approach was carried out in order to preserve residual ocular tissues.

Results

Extensive corneal–conjunctival layer curettage of the necrotic tissue was performed showing perfectly clear undamaged deep lamellar corneal layers. The patient underwent multilayered amniotic membrane transplantation and total capsular–conjunctival flap in order to preserve ocular tissue from further melting or corneal perforation. A complete and spontaneous “restitutio ad integrum” of the corneal layers was shown during the follow-up. The cornea was perfectly clear with restored normal anatomical architecture.

Conclusion

In this case, a spontaneous full-thickness corneal tissue restoration occurred after an acute chemical burn. Studies about the mechanisms whereby different cells interact and replicate within the stroma may unveil the biology behind corneal regeneration and transparency.

Biosynthetic corneal substitute implantation in dogs

PURPOSE

To assess integration of a biosynthetic corneal implant in dogs.

METHODS

Three normal adult laboratory Beagles underwent ophthalmic examinations, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, applanation tonometry, and Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry. Biosynthetic corneas fabricated from glutaraldehyde crosslinked collagen and copolymers of collagen and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid-co-acryloxysuccinimide, denoted as TERP) were implanted into dogs by a modified epikeratoplasty technique. Ophthalmic examinations and aesthesiometry were performed daily for 5 days and then weekly thereafter for 16 weeks. Corneal samples underwent histopathological and transmission electron microscopy examination at 16 weeks.

RESULTS

Implants were epithelialized by 7 days. Intraocular pressure was within normal range throughout the study. Aesthesiometry values dropped from an average of 3.67 cm preoperatively to less than 1 mm for all dogs for the first postoperative weeks. By week 16, the average Cochet-Bonnet value was 1.67 cm, demonstrating partial recovery of functional innervation of the implant. No inflammation or rejection of the implant occurred, and minimal haze formation was noted. Light microscopy revealed thickened but normal epithelium over the implant with fibroblast migration into the scaffold. On transmission electron microscopy, the basement membrane was irregular but present and adhesion complexes were noted.

CONCLUSION

Biosynthetic corneal implantation is well tolerated in dogs, and the collagen-polymer hybrid construct holds promise for clinical application in animals and humans.

Photorefractive keratectomy in the cat eye: biological and optical outcomes

PURPOSE

To quantify optical and biomechanical properties of the feline cornea before and after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and assess the relative contribution of different biological factors to refractive outcome.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA.

METHODS

Adult cats had 6.0 diopter (D) myopic or 4.0 D hyperopic PRK over 6.0 or 8.0 mm optical zones (OZ). Preoperative and postoperative wavefront aberrations were measured, as were intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal hysteresis, the corneal resistance factor, axial length, corneal thickness, and radii of curvature. Finally, postmortem immunohistochemistry for vimentin and alpha-smooth muscle actin was performed.

RESULTS

Photorefractive keratectomy changed ocular defocus, increased higher-order aberrations, and induced myofibroblast differentiation in cats. However, the intended defocus corrections were only achieved with 8.0 mm OZs. Long-term flattening of the epithelial and stromal surfaces was noted after myopic, but not after hyperopic, PRK. The IOP was unaltered by PRK; however, corneal hysteresis and the corneal resistance factor decreased. Over the ensuing 6 months, ocular aberrations and the IOP remained stable, while central corneal thickness, corneal hysteresis, and the corneal resistance factor increased toward normal levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Cat corneas exhibited optical, histological, and biomechanical reactions to PRK that resembled those previously described in humans, especially when the OZ size was normalized to the total corneal area. However, cats exhibited significant stromal regeneration, causing a return to preoperative corneal thickness, corneal hysteresis and the corneal resistance factor without significant regression of optical changes induced by the surgery. Thus, the principal effects of laser refractive surgery on ocular wavefront aberrations can be achieved despite clear interspecies differences in corneal biology.