Posters

Histological and confocal changes in rabbit cornea produced by an intrastromal inlay made of hexafocon A

Poster Details

First Author: M.Jabbarvand IRAN

Co Author(s):    H. Hashemian   A. Salamatrad   M. Khodaparast        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate biocompatibility of a newly proposed intrastromal inlay made of Hexafocon A in rabbit cornea.

Setting:

Ophthalmology research center, Farabi eye Hospital, Tehran university of medical sciences.

Methods:

18 eyes of nine New Zealand rabbits were included in this prospective study. In both eyes intrastromal pocket was created using Melles instruments. Annular intracorneal inlays made of hexafocon-A implanted randomely into stromal pocket of one eye. Confocal microscopy was performed during the six months of follow up. After the six months euthanasia was performed and cornea tissue of both eyes were sent for light microscopy studies.

Results:

Mild stromal edema was present during the first few days and disappeared afterwards with small haze around tunnel site in all cases. Deposits around the lamellar channel developed in three implanted eyes and in none of pocket-only eyes. No neovascularization or epithelial down-growth was present at incision site in any case. All inlays remained centered and optically clear. In confocal imaging, we observed no significant difference in keratocyte cell density and inflammatory cells between the control pocket-only group and inlay group. In pathological evaluation there was no difference in average epithelial thickness between the two groups. Descemet's membrane and endothelium appeared normal in both groups. Keratocyte density was normal around the implant.

Conclusions:

This study revealed the safety and biocompatibility of hexafocon A as an intracorneal inlay in rabbits. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE