title: Effects of artificial tears on rabbit ocular surface healing after exposure to benzalkonium chloride.
abstract: The aim of the study was to observe the effect of different artificial tears on healing the drug-induced keratopathy. To this aim, 64 rabbits received topical administration of 0.01% benzalkonium chloride to establish models and were divided into four groups. The control group received ocular saline solution (Saline), while the others were treated with Refresh Plus® (RF), Hycosan® (H) and Systane® Ultra (SU). Surface abnormalities were examined daily using slit-lamp. Fluorescein staining, histopathological and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination were performed at day 0, 2 weeks, and 1 and 2 months. A significant difference was observed between RF and SU, but not between H and SU at 2 weeks. TEM examination revealed new microvilli close to the cavity surface, and the number of microvilli in SU was greater than in H at 2 weeks and 1 month. Based on the results, the effect in the SU group was the most significant. Eye drops with nontoxic preservative such as SU are an alternative to treat drug-induced keratopathy.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University , Shanghai , People's Republic of China and.
authors.forename: Yuqiu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: b Department of Nursing , Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University , Shanghai , People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University , Shanghai , People's Republic of China and.
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Ophthalmology , Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University , Shanghai , People's Republic of China and.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gong
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D065346:Lubricant Eye Drops / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical / Q000633:toxicity*; D011817:Rabbits; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D065346:Lubricant Eye Drops; D011310:Preservatives, Pharmaceutical
keywords: Benzalkonium chloride; artificial tear; corneal disease; rabbit; treatment outcome