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Radial keratotomy stimulates the influx of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) into the tear film and stroma. These cells do not degranulate and are gone in four days. Incisions fill with persistent epithelial plugs, and extracellular matrix (ECM) replacement does not occur. In contrast, a thermal burn stimulates a prolonged influx of PMNs into the tear film and stroma, where they degranulate and remove damaged tissue. ECM replacement in a few weeks suggests that factors released by activated PMNs may stimulate normal wound healing in the cornea.
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Anderson et al. (1989) studied this question.
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