Abstract
Purpose: :
Evaluation of corneal damage using a newly developed corneal trans-epithelial electric resistance (TER) measurement method.
Methods: :
The corneal TER of the living rabbit was measured using the electrodes placed on the cornea and in the conjunctival fornix. The corneal electrode was surrounded by the insulator to prove that the electrical current pass through the corneal epithelium. Then, the TER was measured after treatment of 0.02% benzalconium chloride for a minute or after epithelial removal with n-heptanol.
Results: :
The corneal TER of the living rabbit was 1310 +/- 182 ohm cm2. TER decreased to 175 +/- 14 ohm cm2 and 51 +/- 8 ohm cm2 by treatment of 0.02% benzalconium chloride and n-heptanol respectively. The results of this method were well corresponding to those of the former established method (Uematsu M, et al. Ophthalmic Research, 2007)
Conclusions: :
The novel less invasive corneal TER measurement method was useful for evaluation of corneal damage. It could be applied to the human in the future.
Keywords: cornea: epithelium • electrophysiology: non-clinical • drug toxicity/drug effects