Evaluation of ophthalmic visicoelastic devices in rabbit penetrating keratoplasty--the protective effect for corneal endothelial cells after autokeratoplasty and the effect of intraocular pressure after aqueous exchange

摘要

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of sodium hyaluronate molecular weight on corneal endothelial cells and intraocular pressure after penetrating keratoplasty in rabbits. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Rotating autokeratoplasty was carried out on rabbits using six groups of sodium hyaluronate in which the molecular weight differed. Then the endothelial cell density, hexagonal cell rate, corneal thickness, and intraocular pressure were measured. The intraocular pressure in the rabbit eyes after aqueous exchange with six groups of sodium hyaluronate was also measured. RESULTS: The endothelial cell density and hexagonal cell rate in the hyaluronate group of molecular weight 1.53-2.13 million and 1.9-3.9 million were the same as in the eye groups receiving no manipulation. As for the intraocular pressure after aqueous exchange, the highest intraocular pressure was more than 40 mmHg in the group treated with hyaluronate over 1.9 million and the group treated with hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate compounding agent.CONCLUSION: Endothelial protection was considered to be superior when hyaluronate with a molecular weight of 1.5-3.9 million was used in rabbits. However, it is grossible that leaving a large amount of hyaluronate with a molecular weight over 1.9 million in the eye may lead to a remarkable increase in the early postoperative intraocular pressure.