Effects of pilocarpine and brinzolamide on rabbit ocular surface / 中国病理生理杂志

ABSTRACT

AIM:To evaluate the effects of pilocarpine, brinzolamide and the preservatives of them on corneal epithelial cells and the histopathology of rabbit conjunctiva. METHODS: Fifteen New Zealand white rabbits weighing 1.5 kg to 2.5 kg were randomly divided into three groups. One group with three rabbits served as untreated controls. Pilocarpine 1% and brinzolamide 1% each were administered to the right eyes in one treated group, and the preservatives (chlorobutanol 0.01% in pilocarpine, benzalkonium chloride 0.01% in brinzolamide) to the left eyes. Corneal epithelial damage was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, and conjunctival specimens were examined under light microscopy. RESULTS: Compared with normal controls, brinzolamide and BAC caused corneal epithelium damage and increased number of inflammatory cells in the conjunctiva, while pilocarpine and the preservative chlorobutanol mainly influenced the corneal epithelium. Brinzolamide produced significantly more damage than pilocarpine (P