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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Effect of Artificial Tear Formulations on the Metabolic Activity of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells after Exposure to Desiccation
Published on: May 2, 2020
Protective effects of trehalose on the corneal epithelial cells
Pasquale Aragona1, Pietro Colosi2, Laura Rania1
1Department of Experimental Medical-Surgical Sciences, Regional Referral Center for the Ocular Surface Diseases, University of Messina, Via C. Valeria 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
Purpose:
Aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of the trehalose on the corneal epithelium undergoing alcohol delamination.
Methods:
Twelve patients undergoing laser subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) were consecutively included in the study. The right eyes were pretreated with 3% trehalose eye drops, whilst left eyes were used as control. Epithelial specimens were processed for cells vitality assessment, apoptosis, and light and transmission electron microscopy; a morphometric analysis was performed in both groups.
Results:
In both trehalose-untreated eyes (TUE) and trehalose-treated eyes (TTE), the percentage of vital cells was similar and no apoptotic cells were observed. In TUE, the corneal epithelium showed superficial cells with reduced microfolds, wing cells with vesicles and dilated intercellular spaces, and dark basal cells with vesicles and wide clefts. In TTE, superficial and wing cells were better preserved, and basal cells were generally clear with intracytoplasmatic vesicles. The morphometric analysis showed statistically significant differences between the two groups: the TTE epithelial height was higher, the basal cells showed larger area and clearer cytoplasm. The distribution of desmosomes and hemidesmosomes was significantly different between the groups.
Conclusions:
Trehalose administration better preserved morphological and morphometric features of alcohol-treated corneal epithelium, when compared to controls.
