Study On Interlamellar Implantation Of Excimer Laser-Reshaped Human Klex-Derived Corneal Stromal Concave Lenticules In Rabbit Corneas

To evaluate the feasibility of reshaping stromal lenticules derived from human myopic KLEx into concave lenticules using the excimer laser, and to assess the morphologic and histopathologic changes after interlamellar implantation in rabbit corneas. 

Excimer-Reshaped Corneal Lenticule Implant

Myopic stromal lenticules obtained from KLEx were reshaped into concave profiles with the excimer laser and then implanted into intrastromal pockets in rabbit corneas (with the contralateral eye serving as a control). Postoperative corneal morphology was monitored by slit-lamp microscopy, anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), and corneal topography. Histological and ultra-structural analyses were conducted using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). 

All surgeries were successful. Slit-lamp microscopy revealed mild corneal edema within the first postoperative week, while the cornea remained transparent throughout the entire follow-up period. AS-OCT showed a clear hyperreflective interface postoperatively on day 7, which integrated into the host stroma by month 1. Corneal topography demonstrated a reduction in anterior corneal refractive power at the 0 mm and 0.5 mm zones (P < 0.05), with an increase observed at the 2 mm and 2.5 mm zones (P < 0.05). This pattern resulted in a "doughnut-shaped" anterior surface morphology. HE staining and TEM further confirmed regularly arranged collagen fibers in the corneal stroma without any signs of inflammatory cell infiltration. 

Excimer laser reshaping of myopic KLEx lenticules into concave lenses is feasible and effective for reducing central corneal refractive power.