Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To compare the inflammatory responses after Ferrara Ring SegmentsTM implantation coated and non–coated with chondroitin sulphate in rabbits corneas. Methods: Fifteen rabbits underwent Ferrara Ring SegmentsTM procedure at the same day (Ferrara Ophthalmics Inc., Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil). Each rabbit received, in its right eye, a non–coated segment and, in its left eye, a chondroitin sulphate coated segment. The rabbits had been sacrificed 1 month after surgery. The corneas of the enucleated eyes were analyzed through a histological routine. Histological evaluation of the induced morphological changes was additionally described and both groups were compared. Results: Epithelial thinning located above the coated and non–coated segment and hyperplasia of the adjacent cells layers, fibroblastic proliferation and edema were related after 30 days. There was no histopathological difference between the rabbit corneas with the non–coated and those with the coated Ferrara Ring SegmentTM. Histology of the corneas of the implanted eyes in both groups revealed good biocompatibility, with only one major complication such as stromal neovascularization. Conclusions: In summary, chondroitin sulphate coating does not alter inflammatory reaction in rabbit’s corneas and the structural changes founded in both groups were the same.
Keywords: pathology: experimental • cornea: stroma and keratocytes • inflammation