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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Ex Vivo Corneal Organ Culture Model for Wound Healing Studies
Published on: February 15, 2019
Impact of Hyaluronic Acid-Containing Artificial Tear Products on Reepithelialization in an In Vivo Corneal Wound
Eric Carlson1, Winston W Y Kao2, Abayomi Ogundele1
11 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Fort Worth, Texas.
Purpose:
To evaluate the effect of 6 commercially available hyaluronic acid (HA)-containing topical artificial tear products on corneal reepithelialization following injury, in an in vivo mouse model.
Methods:
Ninety-six C57Bl/6 mice (16 per treatment group; male to female ratio, 1:1 per group) were anesthetized. Epithelial debridement was performed on 1 cornea per animal, and the debrided eye was imaged. A 30 μL masked test solution containing 1 of 6 artificial tear products was instilled, immediately on debridement, and subsequently, every 2 h, for a total of 4 administrations. At 24 h post debridement, corneas were stained with fluorescein and imaged to calculate corneal healing rate (number of fluorescein-negative corneas).
Results:
All 6 artificial tear products used in this study permitted the initial process of corneal wound healing. However, the corneal reepithelialization rate after 24 h was higher with Hydroxypropyl guar (HPG)/HA (53.33%) compared with other HA-containing artificial tear products [HA1 (12.5%), HA2 (26.67%), HA3 (31.25%), HA4 (6.25%), and HA5 (43.75%)]. The average area and percentage area of reepithelialization after 24 h were also higher with HPG/HA compared with other treatment groups.
Conclusions:
Percentage of eyes with complete corneal reepithelialization 24 h post debridement was highest with HPG/HA compared with other HA-containing artificial tear products tested. The results of this study provide additional evidence on the potential benefits of HPG/HA in the management of dry eye and its role in the rapid restoration of a healthy ocular epithelium. However, further studies are required to confirm the effects on human corneal wounds.
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