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Updated: Jan 26, 2026
Establishment of a Severe Dry Eye Model Using Complete Dacryoadenectomy in Rabbits
Published on: January 8, 2020
A New Rabbit Model of Chronic Dry Eye Disease Induced by Complete Surgical Dacryoadenectomy
Robert Honkanen1, Wei Huang1,2, Liqun Huang3,4
1a Department of Ophthalmology, Health Sciences Center L2 , NY , USA.
Abstract:
Purpose/Aim: Dry eye disease (DED), common and suboptimally treated, is in need of novel animal models to understand its pathophysiology and assess the efficacy and other parameters of new pharmacological agents for its treatment. The more than 10 rabbit models of DED described to date have significant limitations including induction of mild disease, lack of consistency, and off-target effects when chemical agents are used for disease induction. Our aim was to develop a new model of chronic DED in rabbits that overcomes the limitations of existing models.
Materials And Methods:
We performed a complete surgical resection of all orbital lacrimal glands (LGs; dacryoadenectomy) in normal adult New Zealand White rabbits. One week after removal of the nictitating membrane, we surgically removed the orbital superior LG, followed by removal of the palpebral superior LG, and finally removal of the inferior LG. Surgery was performed under anesthesia, required about 1 h/eye, and was well-tolerated.
Results:
Dacryoadenectomy induced severe DED, evidenced by >90% reduction in the tear break up time test, 50% reduction in the Schirmer tear test, 10% increase in tear osmolarity, and a marked increase in the rose bengal staining score. DED was sustained and essentially unchanged for the eight weeks of observation. Sham-operated rabbits showed no such changes, with the exception of a non-significant and transient reduction in the tear break up time test, a response to ocular surgery.
Conclusions:
This model of stable, chronic, predominantly aqueous-deficient DED recapitulates key clinical and histological features of human DED and is suitable for the study of ocular surface homeostasis, of the pathophysiology of DED, and of the efficacy of candidate drugs for DED treatment.
Insights
A new rabbit model for dry eye disease (DED) was developed using surgical removal of lacrimal glands. This chronic DED model effectively mimics human disease, aiding in the study of ocular surface health and new drug development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dry eye disease (DED) is prevalent and inadequately treated, necessitating improved animal models for research.
- Existing rabbit models for DED have limitations, including mild disease induction, inconsistency, and off-target effects from chemical agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel, chronic rabbit model of DED that overcomes the limitations of current models.
- To create a reproducible and severe DED model for studying disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.
Main Methods:
- Surgical resection of all orbital lacrimal glands (dacryoadenectomy) in New Zealand White rabbits.
- Sequential removal of orbital superior, palpebral superior, and inferior lacrimal glands under anesthesia.
- Evaluation of DED parameters including tear break-up time, Schirmer tear test, tear osmolarity, and rose bengal staining.
Main Results:
- Dacryoadenectomy induced severe, chronic aqueous-deficient DED, sustained for eight weeks.
- Significant reductions in tear break-up time (>90%) and Schirmer tear test (50%) were observed.
- Increased tear osmolarity (10%) and marked rose bengal staining confirmed disease severity.
Conclusions:
- This surgical dacryoadenectomy model provides a stable, chronic, aqueous-deficient DED in rabbits.
- The model accurately reflects key clinical and histological features of human DED.
- It is suitable for investigating ocular surface homeostasis, DED pathophysiology, and evaluating DED drug efficacy.
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