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Ex Vivo and In Vivo Animal Models for Mechanical and Chemical Injuries of Corneal Epithelium
Published on: April 6, 2022
Observation of the corneal flap interface with metal particles in a rabbit model
Hiroko Bissen-Miyajima1, Keiichiro Minami, Minori Miyake-Kashima
1Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Suidobashi Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. bissen@tdc.ac.jp
Purpose:
To observe changes, such as diffuse lamellar keratitis, at the corneal interface when metal particles from microkeratome blades were left in rabbit eyes.
Setting:
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Suidobashi Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
Methods:
Following the creation of a corneal flap with microkeratome, metal particles from a microkeratome blade were placed at the corneal interface in 14 rabbit eyes. Microscopic and histopathologic changes were compared with those in the control eyes (n = 4), which did not receive any metal particles. Each examination was conducted at 3 days, 2 weeks, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The change in the depth of the metal particles was also measured.
Results:
Slitlamp examination did not show an inflammatory reaction or corneal opacification in any eye (100%) with metal particles at the flap interfaces. Histopathologic examinations showed no obvious changes at the flap interfaces or around the metal particles in any eye.
Conclusion:
Inflammatory reactions, such as diffuse lamellar keratitis, do not appear to be induced by metal particles from the microkeratome blade itself.
Insights
Metal particles from microkeratome blades did not cause inflammation or corneal opacity in rabbit eyes. Histopathology confirmed no significant changes at the corneal interface after particle implantation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Surgery
- Biomaterials
Background:
- Microkeratome blades can shed metal particles during corneal flap creation.
- Potential for these particles to cause adverse reactions at the corneal interface is a concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of metal particles from microkeratome blades on the corneal interface.
- To determine if these particles induce inflammatory reactions like diffuse lamellar keratitis.
Main Methods:
- Metal particles were intentionally placed at the corneal interface in 14 rabbit eyes post-microkeratome flap creation.
- Control eyes (n=4) did not receive particles.
- Eyes were examined at 3 days, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively using slitlamp and histopathology.
Main Results:
- No slitlamp-detectable inflammatory reactions or corneal opacification were observed in any eyes with metal particles.
- Histopathologic examination revealed no significant changes at the flap interfaces or around the metal particles.
Conclusions:
- Metal particles originating from microkeratome blades do not appear to induce inflammatory responses, such as diffuse lamellar keratitis.
- The presence of these particles alone does not seem to cause significant histopathologic changes in the cornea.
