Abstract
Purpose:
To examine the effects of total ocular surface alkali burn on meibomian gland structure in mice.
Methods:
Three μL of 1 N NaOH were applied under general anesthesia to the right eye of 6 - 8 week old C57BL/6 (n = 10) or BALB/c (n = 10) mice to produce a total ocular surface alkali burn. The meibomian gland morphology was examined at each stage (day 5, 10, and 20) by stereomicroscopy with light emitting diode(LED). Mice were then killed and eyelid was procesed for histology with Hematoxilin-Eosin (HE).
Results:
Stereomicroscopy showed partial loss of the meibomian glands in the middle of lower eyelids at 5 days after alkali burn. Loss of the meibomian glands as deteced by stereomicroscopy spreaded around the middle of lower eyelids as time passed. This changes were observed both C57BL/6 and BALB/c. HE histology showed marked inflammatory cells invasion and degeneration of meibomian glands after alkali burn.
Conclusions:
The meiblmian glands were damaged after alkali burn besides ocular surface destruction. Post-alkali burn wound healing of the ocular surface might be furhter affected by dysfunction of meibomian glands.
Keywords: 765 wound healing •
526 eyelid •
557 inflammation