Histopathological Findings of Epithelial Ingrowth After Laser In Situ Keratomileusis

PURPOSE:To investigate the histopathological features of epithelial ingrowth after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS:Five epithelial ingrowth specimens of 4 patients (2 to 17 months after initial LASIK) were examined. The lesions were surgically removed and examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS:Early epithelial ingrowth was clinically observed as faint opacities with demarcation lines and epithelial pearls. Late epithelial ingrowth was observed as homogeneous whitish masses. Histopathologically, early epithelial ingrowth consisted of multilayered squamous epithelium resembling normal corneal epithelium, whereas late ingrowth was made up of clumps containing amorphous materials with scarce cellular elements. CONCLUSIONS:Our findings suggest that clinical appearance and histopathology of epithelial ingrowth from LASIK flap margins differ in early and late stages, which might reflect proliferative activity of the lesions.