Collagen shields exacerbate ulceration of alkali-burned rabbit corneas.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Collagen shield treatment results in marked acceleration of corneal ulceration and perforation after alkali injury.
Wentworth
J S
JS
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Louisville School of Medicine, KY 40292.
Paterson
C A
CA
Wells
J T
JT
Tilki
N
N
Gray
R S
RS
McCartney
M D
MD
D000818:Animals; D001684:Biological Dressings / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003094:Collagen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011817:Rabbits; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide
D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D003094:Collagen