The animals tolerated the treatments well, and no adverse reactions were noted throughout the length of the experiment. No significant difference was found in tear secretion, as measured by Schirmer’s test at any time point
(Table 1) . Fifteen days after surgery, the average Schirmer results were 10.5, 11.5, 10, and 12 mm for the control and the NGF-, DHA-, and NGF plus DHA–treated groups, respectively (
P = 0.58). At 1 month, the results were 11, 12, 11.5, and 12.5 mm for the control, and the NGF-, DHA- and NGF plus DHA–treated groups, respectively (
P = 0.62). The results of the tear breakup time measurements
(Table 1)were approximately 25% smaller than previously published for rabbits,
19 possibly because they were performed with the animals under anesthesia, to achieve an easier and more reliable result. At 1 week after surgery, the tear breakup time measurement was 13 seconds in the control and NGF-treated groups, 14.5 seconds in the DHA-treated group, and 15.5 in the NGF plus DHA–treated group (
P = 0.72). The times at 1 month were 12.5, 13.5, 14.0, and 15.0 seconds for the control and the NGF-, DHA- and NGF plus DHA–treated groups, respectively (
P = 0.78). These differences were not statistically significant.