Abstract
Purpose::
We have established a rat model of blink-suppressed dry eye using a novel procedure (IOVS, 2005). In our model, in place of tasking visual activity such as video display terminal work or driving a car, we placed the rats on a jogging board (JB) to suppress blink frequency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between duration of blink suppression and corneal epithelial disorder.
Methods::
A series of treatments were performed under continuous exposure to low-humidity airflow (25 ± 5%, 2-4 m/s). Female 7 week-old SD rats were placed on a JB made of a plastic pipe for 4, 6 or 7.5 h/d, then housed in individual cages without placing on JB for remaining time(n=12-16). After 10 days treatment, corneal fluorescein staining and Schirmer score was evaluated.
Results::
For the 4h/d JB treatment group, no changes in the corneal staining and Schirmer score were observed. On the 6 and 7.5 h/d JB treatment group, significant increases in the corneal staining score (P < 0.05) and reduction in the Schirmer score (P < 0.05) were observed compare to the initial value.
Conclusions::
Our data suggest a strong relationship between the duration of blink suppression and the etiology of corneal epithelial disorder in dry eye.
Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • cornea: basic science • cornea: epithelium