Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate small intestine submucosa (SIS) graft treatment for a severe corneal injury in rabbits.
Methods: :
A severe ocular injury was created in the right eye of 5 rabbits by n-heptanol and a 360 degree mechanical debridement of the cornea extending past the limbus. Fluorescence evaluation of cornea injury was made and followed by SIS graft transplant in all injured eyes. Clinical evaluations were made 14 days post operatively and graded as a success if the corneal surface appeared smooth and avascular, or graded a failure if the corneal surface demonstrated revascularization or irregularity. Histological evaluation of corneas at 14 days was graded as a success if the corneal surfaces stained negatively for mucin, or a failure if the corneal surfaces stained positive for mucin.
Results: :
Clinical evaluation demonstrated a smooth and avascular corneal surface in all 5 injured eyes. Preliminary histological evaluation of 2 corneas demonstrated no conjunctival tissue or mucin stain in both. The other 3 corneas are currently being evaluated and data will be available before March 2010.
Conclusions: :
Preliminary data from this pilot study suggests the SIS graft can treat severe corneal injury. This data warrants further investigation on a larger scale due to the potential cost effective treatment for human corneal injury.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • wound healing • transplantation