Effect of intracameral injection of fibrin tissue sealant on the rabbit anterior segment.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of intracameral injection of fibrin tissue sealant on the anterior segment structures in a rabbit model.


METHODS
One eye of 10 rabbits received an intracameral injection of fibrin tissue sealant with a thrombin concentration of 500 IU (TISSEEL), and the fellow eye received an intracameral injection of balanced salt solution as a control. The rabbits were followed up with serial slit-lamp examinations, photography, high resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography scans with pachymetry measurement, and intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring until complete dissolution of the fibrin sealant. Corneal endothelial cell viability was evaluated using live/dead cell assays. Apoptosis of the cornea and trabecular meshwork were evaluated using TUNEL assays. Ultra-structural examinations of the cornea and trabecular meshwork were performed using electron microscopy. Histology of the trabecular meshwork and iris were analyzed using light microscopy.


RESULTS
The quantity of the intracameral fibrin sealant was shown to be significantly correlated with increased IOP and pachymetry post-operatively. Complete dissolution of the fibrin sealant occurred between 15 and 30 days. Live/dead cell assays showed no decrease in viability of the corneal endothelium, and TUNEL assays showed no increase in apoptosis of the corneal epithelium, stroma, endothelium, or trabecular meshwork in the eyes with the fibrin sealant. Light and electron microscopy of the anterior segment structures were unremarkable.


CONCLUSIONS
The intracameral use of fibrin glue was associated with a transient increase in IOP and pachymetry. However, there was no evidence of toxicity or structural damage to the corneal endothelium, trabecular meshwork, or iris.
Chew
Annabel C Y
AC
Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore.
Tan
Donald T H
DT
Poh
Rebekah
R
H M
Htoon
H
Beuerman
Roger W
RW
Mehta
Jodhbir S
JS
D000818:Animals; D000869:Anterior Eye Segment / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D002470:Cell Survival; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D056965:Injections, Intraocular; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D007498:Iris / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011817:Rabbits; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013997:Time Factors; D014129:Trabecular Meshwork / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D006490:Hemostatics