Effect of leukemia inhibitory factor on corneal nerve regeneration of rabbit eyes after laser in situ keratomileusis

To explore the effect of leukemia inhibitory factor on corneal nerve regeneration in a rabbit model after laser in situ keratomileusis. Thirty five healthy New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups for a 6-month observation, the blank control group, the control group, and the treatment group respectively. Laser in situ keratomileusis for myopia was performed on 30 rabbits (60 eyes in total) and then 11 mu g/ml LIF eye drops were used four times a day on the left eyes as the treatment group, and the balanced salt solution (BSS) was used on the right eyes as the control group. Nerve regeneration was evaluated by counting the new regenerated nerves in golden chloride staining. The parameters for dry eye include Schirmer I test and tear break-up time were also examined. The number of regenerated nerve fibers in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group at all time points except the 6th month after IASIK (P < 0.05). The parameters for dry eye between two groups were compared at each postoperative time point and the results showed they were significantly higher in the LIF-treated group than in the BSS-control group at 2w, 1m, and 3m respectively. Leukemia inhibitory factor can effectively accelerate the corneal nerve regeneration of rabbit eyes after LASIK surgery and decrease the occurrence of dry eye symptoms. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.