Study of Sub-basal and Anterior Stromal Nerves of Corneal Flap with Modified Gold Chloride Stain

The aim was to study the regeneration of corneal nerve fibers following creation of corneal flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine white rabbits underwent creation of corneal flap only without the subsequent excimer laser photoablation, rabbits were scarified at 3 days, one week, two weeks and one month after the procedure. Demonstration of the corneal innervation was carried out with a modified gold chloride procedure. The tissue was dissected into 4-6 lamellae before dehydration and mounted on slides for observation and photography. RESULTS: At the 1 st week, both superficial , basal epithelial and sub-epithelial nerves were found at the hinge of the flap but the rest of the flap showed a major loss of epithelial, basal subepithelial and superficial stromal nerves. At 1 st month, A few new regenerating thin nerve fibres were found to emerge from the cut stromal nerve trunks. In addition,the anterior stromal nerve were thin with gradual restoration to its normal condition over time. At 6 th month, The Sub-basal plexi returns to its pre-operative shape. The nerves of flap stroma become well developed. CONCLUSION: The number of sub-basal and stromal nerve fiber bundles almost completely disappeared after creation of flap. Sub-basal and anterior stromal nerves were still less than normal after 6 months.