Bao L, Wang C, Yang X
Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital, Qingdao Medical College.
Zhonghua Yan Ke Za Zhi. 1996 Sep;32(5):379-81.
To observe the morphology of rabbit corneal nerve regeneration in the grafts after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) with long-term cryopreserved homogeneous donor material.
Both long-term cryopreserved and short-term moist-chamber preserved fresh rabbit corneas were applied in the keratoplasty. By means of glyoxylic-acid induced fluorescence (GIF) and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) staining histochemical techniques, the morphological features of adrenergic and cholinergic nerve regeneration were monitored under light microscope in those grafts from ten days to eight months after surgery.
During various intervals, the morphological changes of neural reinnervation were similar in the two groups, and numerous subepithelial nerves that showed random changes in direction and caliber were apparent. The nerve endings in the epithelium were few.
The cryopreservative procedures do not affect neural regeneration under light microscope. The depressed tactile sensitivity following the surgery is correlated with nerve endings in the epithelium subnormal in number and with the regeneration of corneal nerves abnormal in distribution and morphology.
