각막 기질창상에서 양막이 각막상피두께와 반결합체의 형성에 미치는 영향

Effect of Amniotic Membrane on Epithelial Thickness and Formation of Hemidesmosomes after Corneal Stromal Wound

Purpose: To investigate the effects of an amniotic membrane patch on corneal epithelial thickness and formation of hemidesmosomes during corneal stromal wound healing. Methods: A stromal wound 9 mm in diameter and 130 μm in depth was created on rabbit cornea using a microkeratome. The changes in corneal epithelial thickness and hemidesmosome formations were compared between the amniotic membrane, contact lens, and control groups. Changes in the corneal epithelium were examined using H&E staining and hemidesmosome formation was examined using an electron microscope at 2 and 4 weeks after flap removal. Results: Two weeks after treatment, the corneal epithelial thickness was 95.3 ± 6.3 μm in the amniotic membrane group being significantly thicker than 76.4 ± 5.1 μm in the contact lens group and 68.3 ± 6.1 μm in the control group. Furthermore, more hemidesmosome formations were observed in the amniotic membrane group compared to the other 2 groups. However, there were no significant differences in corneal epithelial thickness or hemidesmosome formation among the 3 groups at week 4. Conclusions: The amniotic membrane group showed a thicker corneal epithelium and more hemidesmosome formation than the other 2 groups 2 weeks after flap removal. Thus, the use of an amniotic membrane patch appears to be effective in the early stages of corneal stromal wound healing. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2011;52(5):589-596