RESUMO
The role of limbal epithelial cells on the initial re-surfacing of the central epithelial defect was evaluated. Central or peripheral corneal wounds were produced by using n-heptanol in New Zealand white rabbit, and the epithelial healing rates were evaluated. Central corneal wounds made by applying a filter paper soaked in 0.2 N NaOH with vs without limbal damage were produced for the paralleled set of experiment. A 5.5 mm round filter paper for central wound and a 2 mm filter paper strip for limbal damage were used for the initial wounding. Epithelial defect areas were photodocumented after fluorescein stainmg at 0.6, 18, 30, 42, 48 hours following initial damage. Epithelial healing rates were measured by linear regression analysis, The epithelial healing rates of central and peripheral heptatlol wounds were 0.71 +/- 0.14 mm2/h, and 0.79 +/- 0.10 mm2/h(p>0.05), respectively, NaOH central wound without limbal damage and with limbal damage were 0.77 +/- 0.11 mm2/h, and 0.76 +/- 0.11 mm2/h, respectively(p>0.05). These data suggest that the limbal epithelium has no influence on the initial re-surfacing of the central epithelial defect.