ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The effects of AmniSite-Lens on wound healing were evaluated for a burn wound on a rabbit cornea. METHODS: A chemical burn was inflicted on the cornea of rabbits using 0.1N NaOH and a superficial keratectomy with trephine was performed. The control group consisted of rabbits with a bandage contact lens (Focus Lens) after the operation. In the other group, the AmniSite-Le was applied on the rabbits' cornea. The rabbits were evaluated for the following: 1) the time of epithelialization; 2) the grade of corneal opacity; and 3) the histological analysis by evaluation of inflammatory reaction and apoptotic keratocytes. RESULTS: In the alkali-burn model, the time of epithelialization in the AmniSite-Lens group was not statistically significant compared with the bandage contact lens group. There was no difference of corneal opacity at postoperative week 1. The corneal opacity in the AmniSite-Lens group was clearer than the bandage contact lens group at postoperative weeks 4 and 8 and the difference of corneal opacity was statistically significant. In the keratectomy model, the time of epithelialization in the AmniSite-Lens group was not statistically significant compared with the bandage contact lens group. The corneal opacity in the AmniSite-Lens group was clearer than the bandage contact lens group at postoperative weeks 1 and 4 and the difference of corneal opacity was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The AmniSite-Lens has both the wound healing effect of an amniotic membrane and the convenience of a bandage contact lens.