[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].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of sodium hyaluronate molecular weight on corneal endothelial cells and intraocular pressure after penetrating keratoplasty in rabbits.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Saito
Akio
A
Department of Ophthalmology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 3-1-3 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8431, Japan.
Obara
Takeo
T
Kanayama
Toshiji
T
Nakayasu
Kiyoo
K
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000379:methods*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011817:Rabbits; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid