[Early corneal limbal autograft transplantation after alkali burns].

OBJECTIVES

To understand the clinical significance of corneal limbus transplantation on alkali burns.

METHODS

14 New Zealand rabbits were used, 1.0 mol/L NaOH solution was placed on the anterior surface of the eyes for 1 minute. Limbal autograft transplantation was performed on 7 rabbits immediately after the burn. The other 7 rabbits were used as controls. The follow-up period lasted for 1 month and then the histopathological changes of corneas were observed under light and scanning electron microscopes.

RESULTS

Faster corneal epithelial healing, less corneal neovascularization and inflammatory cell infiltration occurred in the operative group.

CONCLUSIONS

Early limbal autograft transplantation can accelerate corneal epithelial healing, restrain corneal neovascularization and inflammatory response, therefore it can prevent corneal ulceration.