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Collagen shields exacerbate ulceration of alkali-burned rabbit corneas
J S Wentworth1, C A Paterson, J T Wells
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40292.
Objective:
To determine the impact of collagen shields on ulceration of rabbit corneas after alkali burn.
Methods:
After a 60-second 2N sodium hydroxide burn to rabbit corneas, 24-hour collagen shields were placed on the corneas daily for 21 days; control corneas did not receive collagen shields. The extent of corneal ulceration was documented daily for 21 days by slit-lamp examination of treated and control eyes. Three separate studies were performed using collagen shields from two commercial sources.
Results:
In the three studies, corneas in the collagen shield-treated eyes began to ulcerate sooner than those in the control group; the corneas in collagen shield-treated eyes also began to perforate sooner. At 21 days after alkali injury, the mean (+/- SE) corneal ulceration score in the collagen shield-treated rabbits was 4.1 +/- 0.17 (descemetocele formation) compared with 2.7 +/- 0.28 (midstromal ulceration) in controls. This difference was significant at P < .005.
Conclusion:
Collagen shield treatment results in marked acceleration of corneal ulceration and perforation after alkali injury.