Corneal Hydration Control during Ex Vivo Experimentation Using Poloxamers

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Maintaining corneal hydration is critical for ex vivo research.
• Postmortem corneas often lose physiological hydration, affecting experimental outcomes.
• Poloxamers offer potential as hydrating agents for biological tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a poloxamer-based treatment for restoring corneal hydration.
• To evaluate the efficacy of poloxamer 188 (P188) in porcine and human corneas.
• To compare corneal mechanical response before and after P188 treatment.

Main Methods:

• Corneal buttons and whole globes were treated with varying concentrations of P188.
• Central corneal thickness (CCT) was monitored during deswelling treatment.
• Corneal inflation testing was performed to assess mechanical properties.

Main Results:

• Optimal hydration achieved with 3.25% P188 for porcine and 4.25% P188 for human corneas after 24 hours.
• CCT returned to physiological levels in both species post-treatment.
• Corneal axial strains were significantly greater at physiological hydration levels.

Conclusions:

• P188 treatment effectively restores and maintains corneal hydration ex vivo.
• Corneal hydration significantly influences mechanical inflation response.
• P188 is a promising agent for preserving corneal tissue viability in research settings.