Fig. 2

Photographs of slit-lamp examination and histopathological results on day 3, 7, 14, 28 after surgery. a Matrix- grafted cornea (b) Ungrafted cornea. Masson’s trichrome stain showing (c) massive inflammatory cells infiltration around the corneal wound with CG matrix and collagen ingrowth (blue stain). d only some inflammatory cell infiltration and re-epithelialization. e Matrix- grafted cornea with tiny vessel ingrowth (f) Ungrafted cornea wound margin identified by the blue arrows with edema. Masson’s trichrome stain showing (g) predominantly fibroblasts, epithelial cells and inflammatory cells into CG matrix with collagen regeneration. h epithelial and stromal regeneration (100×). i Matrix-grafted cornea with new vessels (blue arrow) and CG matrix degradation over upper corneal wound. j Ungrafted cornea with reduced wound area. α-smooth muscle actin stain showing (k) strong positive cells over regenerative corneal stroma. l only some positive cells infiltrated into the regenerative stroma of the ungrafted cornea (100×). m CG matrix-grafted cornea with incomplete degradation and decreasing neovascularization. n Ungrafted cornea with near complete healing. One corneal opacity score. Masson’s trichrome stain showing (o) irregular arrangement of new collagen deposition upon complete degradation of collagen-GAG scaffold wound with thickening the stroma thickness. p complete re-epithelization and wound healing