The Role of Bowman’s Layer in Corneal Regeneration after Phototherapeutic Keratectomy: A Prospective Study Using In Vivo Confocal Microscopy

Abstract

Subbasal nerve regeneration is delayed and subepithelial keratocyte density and reflectivity remain elevated up to 10 months after total BL removal by PTK. The results provide initial evidence for a possible role of BL in facilitating rapid stromal wound healing and an associated recovery of anterior corneal transparency and the restoration of epithelial innervation after epithelial trauma.