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Updated: Mar 7, 2026
Ex Vivo and In Vivo Animal Models for Mechanical and Chemical Injuries of Corneal Epithelium
Published on: April 6, 2022
Effect of topical antiinflammatory drugs on mechanical behavior of rabbit cornea
Domenico Lepore1, Roberto De Santis2, Monica M Pagliara1
1Department of Ophthalmology, A. Gemelli University Hospital, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome - Italy.
Background:
A variety of antiinflammatory therapies are employed to promote corneal wound healing. The effects of steroidal and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on the biomechanical properties of rabbit cornea were investigated over time using tensile tests.
Methods:
Full-thickness incisions were made and used to analyze the effects of dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1% and diclofenac sodium 0.1% on corneal biomechanical properties during wound healing at 7, 14 and 21 days after surgery.
Results:
The full-thickness incision deeply modified all of the mechanical properties. At 3 weeks after incision, regardless of the drug therapy, the tensile modulus was about 70% of the value for the intact cornea.
Conclusions:
Topical treatment with dexamethasone was particularly effective during the first week after surgery; the second week after surgery, a similar result was observed in the corneas treated with diclofenac. Low doses of steroidal and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs would seem to have the potential to improve biomechanical properties only during the early stage of the healing process of the cornea.
Insights
Steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs show potential for improving corneal wound healing. These therapies may enhance biomechanical properties, particularly in the early stages of corneal repair.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Corneal wound healing often involves anti-inflammatory therapies.
- Steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used.
- Their impact on corneal biomechanical properties requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dexamethasone and diclofenac on rabbit corneal biomechanical properties over time.
- To assess the efficacy of these anti-inflammatory drugs during the corneal wound healing process.
Main Methods:
- Full-thickness corneal incisions were created in rabbits.
- Treated corneas with dexamethasone sodium phosphate 0.1% and diclofenac sodium 0.1%.
- Tensile tests were performed at 7, 14, and 21 days post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Full-thickness incisions significantly altered corneal mechanical properties.
- At 3 weeks, tensile modulus was approximately 70% of intact cornea values, irrespective of drug treatment.
- Dexamethasone showed effectiveness in the first week, while diclofenac was effective in the second week.
Conclusions:
- Topical dexamethasone was most effective during the initial week of healing.
- Diclofenac demonstrated similar benefits in the second week post-surgery.
- Low-dose steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may improve corneal biomechanical properties primarily in the early healing stages.
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