Accelerated Epithelial Proliferation in a Rabbit Model of Bullous Keratopathy.

Purpose: Long standing bullous keratopathy (BK) is associated with peripheral conjunctivalization and limbal deficiency. We hypothesized that cases of limbal deficiency may be induced due to accelerated proliferation of corneal epithelial cells. To investigate this hypothesis, we examined the influence of BK on the corneal epithelium in a rabbit model. Methods: Continuous curvilinear descemetorhexis was performed to remove a circular section of the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane (DM) using inverted Shinskey hook. Corneal tissue sections of BK eyes were observed by histochemical analysis using BrdU pulse chase methods for evaluation of corneal epithelial cell proliferation. Results: Rabbit corneas immediately became stromal edematous after DM stripping surgery, and a week later their thickness was five times that of control cornea. Vascularization of the peripheral cornea was observed in BK eyes, however, conjunctivalization was rarely observed at 6 weeks. The number of BrdU positive cells tended to be lower in the BK cornea epithelium compared to the control cornea epithelium. The number of Ki67 positive cells also showed a tendency to increase in the BK corneal epithelium. Telomere intensity in BK was similar to control corneal epithelium. Conclusion: BK may accelerate the proliferation of corneal epithelial cells in a rabbit model.