Expression of gelatinase in cornea cell after the laser in situ keratomileusis with different residual stroma bed in rabbits

Objective To study the influence of different residual cornea bed of laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK)on collagen construction of cornea through investigating expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in cornea cell for different residual stroma bed after LASIK for six months.MethodsSixteen New Zealand white rabbits(32 eyes) were divided into four groups at random.Eight eyes in group A were controls.Rabbits in groups B,C and D were performed LASIK with residual stroma bed of the cornea 70%,50% and 30%,respectively.Activities of gelatinase of cornea tissue were detected by gelatin zymography after LASIK for six months.ResultsAt 6 month after LASIK,MMP-2(72 000,resting enzyme)and MMP-2(62 000,active enzyme) were expressed in cornea cell in groups A,B,C,D,and there was no significant difference between four groups.MMP-9(92 000) was not expressed in four groups.At the same time,there was no keratoconus or posterior corneal conus on the corneal topography.ConclusionThe single excess ablation of the stroma by excimer laser could not cause collagen degradation of cornea,and it is not consequential to cause keratoconus after LASIK for six months.