Natural history of disease in a rabbit model for keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Abstract

We have continued our study of the tear film and ocular surface in our full KCS (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) rabbit model up to 52 weeks post-operatively. Tear film osmolarity remains elevated, conjunctival goblet cell density remains decreased, and the conjunctival epithelium remains abnormal. Corneal epithelial glycogen levels decreased progressively, and at 44 weeks post-operatively rabbits developed abnormal rose Bengal staining of the affected cornea that was shown to be associated with morphologic abnormalities at 52 weeks. Rabbits began rubbing the affected eye after the development of corneal staining. Our full KCS rabbit model demonstrates the features of the human disease.

Evaluation of a New Tear Osmometer for Repeatability and Accuracy, Using 0.5-μL (500-Nanoliter) Samples

“…7,8 Tear hyperosmolarity contributes to the inflammatory process of the ocular surface by causing epithelial damage and inducing cytokine release from epithelial cells. [9][10][11] Gilbard et al found that hyperosmolarity causes a decrease in the density of goblet cells in rabbit conjunctival cell culture. 9 Hyperosmolar conditions (.330 mOsm/L) have been shown to be associated with significant morphological changes, both in rabbit cells and in patients with DED.…”

“…[9][10][11] Gilbard et al found that hyperosmolarity causes a decrease in the density of goblet cells in rabbit conjunctival cell culture. 9 Hyperosmolar conditions (.330 mOsm/L) have been shown to be associated with significant morphological changes, both in rabbit cells and in patients with DED. 12,13 Therefore, it is a key mechanism for ocular surface damage in DED patients.…”

Evaluation of Tear Osmolarity in Non-Sjögren and Sjögren Syndrome Dry Eye Patients With the TearLab System

“…[2][3][4] However, with the progression of this process, compensatory mechanisms become exhausted and ocular surface will be exposed to persistent osmotic stress, which is considered responsible for the subjective complaints, chronic inflammation, and alterations of the ocular surface. [5][6][7] In this prospective study, tear osmolarity was evaluated with a lab-on-a-chip technique (TearLab; TearLab Corporation, San Diego, CA) in non-Sjögren syndrome dry eye (NSSDE) and Sjögren syndrome dry eye (SSDE) patients in comparison with healthy individuals, and the results were correlated to classical dry eye diagnostic tests.…”

Dry eye diagnosis and management

“…Elevated tear osmolarity is thought to play a significant role in ocular surface inflammation and corneal epithelial damage [1, [45][46][47]. Tear osmolarity measurement has been considered to be a reliable method for detecting dry eye [48,49].…”