Rabbit Model of Corneal Endothelial Injury Established Using the Nd: YAG Laser. Issue 10 (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Weijie; Hu, Yang; Lu, Linna; Liu, Yan; Yang, Xiaodan; Sun, Hao; Ruan, Jing; Chen, Junzhao; Yao, Qinke; Yan, Chenxi; Gu, Ping; Fu, Yao; Shao, Chunyi; Fan, Xianqun
• Is Part Of: Cornea. Volume 36:Issue 10(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: animal model -- corneal endothelial injury -- Nd:YAG laser; Cornea -- Periodicals; Cornea -- Periodicals; Cornée -- Périodiques; 617.719
• DOI: 10.1097/ICO.0000000000001324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-3740

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To develop a new rabbit model of corneal endothelial injury using a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser. Methods: The corneal endothelia of 2 groups of New Zealand white rabbits were treated with an Nd:YAG laser in a uniformly scattered fashion. Rabbits in group A underwent laser burns on the whole corneal endothelium, including the limbus area, whereas rabbits in group B were subjected to laser burns in the central 9-mm diameter zone of the endothelium. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, applanation tonometry, confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and histological examinations were performed during 4 weeks of follow-up. Results: In both groups, dotted or focal corneal endothelium defects were directly observed. The stroma was intact. Right after laser application, a series of clinical manifestations appeared, including subepithelial and stromal edema, increased central corneal thickness, and corneal opacity. Laser burn had more notable effects in group A than in group B. In both groups, we observed no damage to the intraocular structures, and intraocular pressure was normal after laser treatment. Conclusions: Nd:YAG laser treatment in a 9-mm diameter zone of the endothelium can effectively induce bullous keratopathy in a rabbit, whereas treatment for the entire corneal endothelium maintains bullous keratopathy for a longer period. The procedure is simple and reproducible, and it retains normal intraocular structures. This study provided a promising model for future research into endothelial cell damage and for the development of new therapies.