Investigation of the effectiveness of dehydrated corneal collagen barriers on corneal defects: An experimental rabbit model

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of collagen shield on epithelial wound healing in rabbit eyes. Adult New Zealand Albino rabbits were used in the study. All surgical procedures were carried out under general anesthesia. Superficial keratectomies of 6 mm in diameter were created in 40 eyes of 20 rabbits and they were separated into 3 groups as the control (CN), medical treatment (CA) and collagen barrier (CB) groups. In the CN group, 6 rabbits received 0.9% NaCl drops. In the CA group, 7 rabbits received ciprofloxacin and acetylcysteine. In the CB group, a collagen shield was placed on corneal defect for 72 hours in 7 rabbits. Central corneal thickness was measured using an ultrasound pachymeter. Corneal thickness was determined before and at 72 and 96 hours after surgery. There was a significant increase (CA group: P<0.01, CB group: P<0.001) in corneal thickness at 72 hours. The wound size was evaluated immediately after the surgery, then at 72 and 96 hours. There was a significantly greater healing response in the collagen shield group (P<0.001) compared to the other groups. The earlier wound closure in the CB group may be due to protection and lubrication of the epithelial cells in the margins of the fresh wound. These findings suggest that the collagen shield may be useful when treating corneal surface conditions in which de-epithelialization is a component.