Less Invasive Corneal Transepithelial Electrical Resistance Measurement Method.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Physiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Corneal epithelial barrier function is crucial for ocular health.
• Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a common preservative in eye drops that can affect corneal permeability.
• Previous methods for measuring corneal barrier function were invasive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate acute corneal permeability changes after benzalkonium chloride (BAC) instillation.
• To assess a newly developed, less invasive in vivo method for measuring corneal transepithelial electrical resistance (TER).
• To compare the new method's results with established techniques.

Main Methods:

• Developed a refined in vivo method using surface electrodes for corneal TER measurement.
• Measured corneal TER in rabbits and humans before and after exposure to 0.02% BAC.
• Compared results with previously established anterior chamber electrode methods in rabbit models.

Main Results:

• A significant decrease in corneal TER was observed in both rabbits and humans after BAC exposure (P<.01).
• The new less invasive method demonstrated results consistent with older, more invasive anterior chamber methods in rabbit experiments.
• The method successfully measured TER changes in the human cornea.

Conclusions:

• The novel, less invasive corneal TER measurement technique is effective and reliable.
• This method allows for the first in vivo measurement of human corneal TER.
• It provides a safe and reliable way to investigate the direct effects of eye drop treatments on the corneal epithelium.