Abstract
Purpose :
To evaluate the effects of corneal CXL using chemical agents (glyceraldehyde and genipin) on the rabbit bullous keratopathy models established by descemetorhexis.
Methods :
35 rabbits were randomly divided into five groups. Group A (n = 5) is the control group. The right eyes of animals in Groups B, C, D, E, F, and G (n = 5, resp.) were suffered with descemetorhexis procedures. From the 8th day to the 14th day postoperatively, the right eyes in Groups C, D and F were instilled with hyperosmolar drops, glyceraldehydedrops, and genipin drops respectively; the right eyes in Group E and G were instilled with hyperosmolar-glyceraldehyde drops and hyperosmolar-genipin dropsrespectively. Centralcorneal thickness (CCT), corneal transparency score, and histopathological analysis were applied on the eyes in each group.
Results :
Compared with Group A, statistically significant increase in CCT and corneal transparency score was found in Groups B, C, D, E, F and G at 7 d postoperatively (P < 0.05) and in Groups C, D, E, F and G at 14d postoperatively (P < 0.05).
Conclusions :
Chemical CXL improved the CCT and corneal transparency of the rabbit bullous keratopathy models. Topical instillation with hyperosmolar-glyceraldehyde/genipin solution seems to be a good choice for the bullous keratopathy treatment.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Imaging in the Eye Conference, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 26-27, 2019.