Topical use of zinc desferrioxamine for corneal alkali injury in a rabbit model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of topical zinc desferrioxamine in acute corneal alkali injury in rabbits.


METHODS
Twenty rabbits were anesthetized and a standardized alkali burn (1N NaOH) was performed in the center of the cornea (7.5-mm diameter). The animals were randomly divided into two groups and treated (double-masked) with topical zinc desferrioxamine, 220 microM, (group 1) or its vehicle (group 2). Drops were applied 7 times/day for 28 days. Topical gentamicin, 0.3%, was instilled twice a day. Animals were evaluated twice a week. At each examination (using the slit-lamp), the depth of corneal ulcer was graded as follows: 0, no ulcer; 1, tissue loss less than one third of corneal thickness; 2, one third to two thirds tissue loss; 3, more than two thirds tissue loss; 4, descemetocele; or 5, perforation. Ulceration area, vascularization, and epithelial defects also were measured.


RESULTS
During the study period, the grading of mean corneal ulcerations in group 1 ranged from 0.2 to 1.00, whereas in group 2, it ranged from 1.4 to 2.7. The mean grade and area of ulceration in group 2 were greater than those in group 1 (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Topical zinc desferrioxamine may be an adjunctive treatment in protecting the cornea against induced alkali injury.
Siganos
C S
CS
Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Frucht-Pery
J
J
Muallem
M S
MS
Berenshtein
E
E
Naoumidi
I
I
Ever-Hadani
P
P
Pallikaris
I G
IG
Siganos
D S
DS
Chevion
M
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005839:Gentamicins; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C086228:zinc-desferrioxamine; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D003676:Deferoxamine