Evaluation of rabbit corneal endothelial decompensation model established with Descemetorhexis technique / 眼科研究

ABSTRACT

Objective Corneal endothelial decompensation is caused by many corneal diseases. It often results in severe clinical complications. Endothelial keratoplasty (EK) is a new therapy for corneal endothelial decompensation. This study aimed to investigate a new approach to establishing corneal endothelial decompensation animal model with Descemetorhexis technique in order to better understand the tissue response to EK. Methods Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups according to different surgical procedures; corneal endothelial cells (CEC), Descemet's membrane and corneal endothelial cells (DM + CEC) as well as Descemet' s stripping with endothelial keratoplasty(DSEK) group and 10 eyes for each. The right eyes of rabbits were as surgery eyes. Other 10 rabbits were as DSEK donors. Corneal transparency, anterior chamber response and graft location were examined once per day for two weeks under the slit lamp. Comeal thickness was measured by ultrasound biomicroscope. Corneal endothelial cells were analyzed using vital staining with alizarin red and trypan blue in 2, 4 and 8 weeks after operation. Results The cornea in DM + CEC group remained opaque throughout the observation period. In CEC and DSEK group, corneal clarity was gradually restored and corneal thickness was significantly less than that in the DM + CEC group during the postoperative 8 weeks. There were significant differences in corneal thickness between the DM + CEC group and CEC group or DSEK group during the postoperative 8 weeks (P ＜0. 05). The vital staining showed that most Descemetorhexis area was not covered by endothelial cells even 2 months after surgery. Conclusion A new corneal endothelial decompensation model is successfully established for the study of corneal endothelial keratoplasty, which is helpful for understanding the wound-healing of rabbit corneal endothelium after Descemel' s membrane damage.