Histological study of epikeratophakia in primates.

Two primate corneas were analyzed histologically 22 and 25 months after epikeratophakia surgery. Keratocytes had migrated from the host cornea into the lenticule through the surgical disruption of the host Bowman's membrane; the lenticule with the wider connection to the host cornea appeared to have more complete keratocyte repopulation. The lenticule stroma and host Bowman's membrane were continuously apposed along the interface, with a basement membrane-like material composed of collagen fibrils and amorphous matrix filling the interstices.