Epithelial remodeling and its influencing factors after corneal refractive surgery

Abstract

The corneal epithelium, an essential refractive interface, plays an integral role in the corneal healing after corneal refractive surgery. All existing corneal refractive surgeries entail a degree of corneal epithelial remodeling; however, excessive epithelial remodeling precipitates adverse outcomes on the refractive correction efficacy of such surgeries. This review summarizes the application of corneal epithelial remodeling in the corneal refractive surgery, and more comprehensively investigates the influencing factors of perioperative epithelial remodeling after corneal refractive surgery, with a view to augmenting the safety, efficacy, predictability, and stability of corneal refractive surgical outcomes.

Keywords

• cornea
• corneal epithelial remodeling
• corneal refractive surgery