title: Induction of corneal collagen cross-linking in experimental corneal alkali burns in rabbits.
abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effect of riboflavin-ultraviolet-A-induced cross-linking (CXL) following corneal alkali burns in rabbits. Methods: The right corneas and limbi of ten rabbits were burned using a 1N solution of NaOH and the animals were then divided into two groups: a control group submitted to clinical treatment alone and an experimental group that was treated 1 h after injury with CXL, followed by the same clinical treatment as administered to the controls. Clinical parameters were evaluated post-injury at 1, 7, 15, and 30 days by two independent observers. Following this evaluation, the corneas were excised and examined histologically. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in clinical parameters, such as hyperemia, corneal edema, ciliary injection, limbal ischemia, secretion, corneal neovascularization, symblepharon, or blepharospasm, at any of the time-points evaluated. However, the size of the epithelial defect was significantly smaller in the CXL group (p<0.05) (day 15: p=0.008 and day 30: p=0.008) and the extent of the corneal injury (opacity lesion) was also smaller (day 30: p=0.021). Histopathology showed the presence of collagen bridges linking the collagen fibers in only the CXL group. Conclusions: These results suggest that the use of CXL may improve the prognosis of acute corneal alkali burns.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Oftalmológico Visão Laser, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colombo-Barboza
authors.affiliation: Hospital Oftalmológico Visão Laser, Santos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Guilherme
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Colombo-Barboza
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa de Misericórida de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Felberg
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa de Misericórida de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Paulo Elias Corrêa
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Dantas
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Paulista School of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elcio Hideo
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Sato