Photodynamic biologic tissue glue in perforating rabbit corneal wounds.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the in vivo wound modulating effects of a new biologic tissue adhesive.


BACKGROUND
Biological tissue glue can serve as an important adjunct technology in the treatment of a number of ocular conditions, including closure of corneal wounds. These experiments were performed to evaluate the wound healing effects of a new photodynamic biologic tissue glue (PBTG) in perforating rabbit corneal incisions.


METHODS
Perforating corneal wounds were created in 12 pigmented rabbits. Two perforating incisions were made 180 degrees apart 2 mm from the limbus. One incision in each eye was closed with a single interrupted 10-0 nylon suture, and the other closed with PBTG. Rabbits were followed biomicroscopically and sacrificed at 1-, 3-, and 7-week intervals for histological evaluation of their corneal wounds.


RESULTS
There were no clinical signs of PBTG-related toxicity in any of the rabbits. Compared to control wounds, all glued corneas had greater epithelial filling, less stromal edema, and fewer inflammatory cells at the 1-, 3-, and 7-week stages and showed greater overall wound maturation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that PBTG is an effective and nontoxic tissue adhesive that accelerates normal corneal wound healing.
Khadem
J J
JJ
The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. jkhadem@vision.eri.harvard.edu
Dana
M R
MR
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D010778:Photochemotherapy; D011817:Rabbits; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects
D014014:Tissue Adhesives