orabase and Corneal-Injuries

Evaluate the time of post-abrasion corneal re-epithelialization using commercially available eye drops, one of which containing 0.4% sodium hialuronate, and the other containing 1% carboxymethylcellulose, and compare them to the re-epithelialization without the drops.. 24 rabbits were used, which had the mechanical abrasion of the central 8 mm of their corneas done. These animals were divided in 3 groups. The first one received the drops containing 0.4% of sodium hialuronate, the second one received the drops containing 1% of carboxymethylcellulose and the third group did not receive any drugs. The evaluations took place every 24 hours through the analysis of digital pictures under cobalt blue light and coloring of the corneas with 2% fluorescein. The pictures were analyzed with the software Autocad 2009®. The data was analyzed through the comparison of the total re-epithelialization time among the three groups. The time of total re-epithelialization of the group using sodium hialuronate was on average 90 hours and the group using carboxymethylcellulose 105 hours, while the group using no drugs was 108 hours. There was a better performance of those groups using the drops and this difference can be proved statistically.. The drops containing 0.4% of sodium hialuronate showed a higher efficiency rate compared to the drops containing 1% of carboxymethylcellulose, which was higher than the control group. The results of the present study show that the use of lubricants in the process of re-epithelialization are extremely valid and must be used frequently in ophthalmologic clinic.

Topics: Animals; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cornea; Corneal Injuries; Female; Hyaluronic Acid; Male; Ophthalmic Solutions; Prospective Studies; Rabbits; Re-Epithelialization; Time Factors; Viscosupplements

In this study the formulation and rheological characterisation of novel candidate ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVD) based on binary interactive polymer gels is described. Primary systems containing either hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) or binary interactive gels composed of HEC and NaCMC were manufactured. Rheological characterisation was performed using texture profile analysis and oscillatory rheometry. All formulations exhibited pseudoplastic flow. Systems composed of HEC or HEC and NaCMC behaved as gels (G' > G") over the range of oscillatory frequencies whereas systems composed of NaCMC were primarily elastoviscous. Increasing the polymer concentration in all systems increased the compressional rheological properties (hardness, compressibility), zero frequency viscosity (derived from the Cross model) and the viscoelastic properties (G', G" and eta'). Rheological synergy was observed in the binary gels and was indicative of interaction between the parent polymers. Importantly, the range of rheological properties offered by the binary mixtures was greater than those exhibited by the primary systems. The binary systems described in this study possessed viscoelastic properties and steady-state viscosities that were similar to commercially available systems and would therefore be appropriate for the maintenance of the ocular space. The acceptable compressional rheological and pseudoplastic properties of these systems would facilitate administration into the eye using a syringe. Additionally and uniquely, the excellent adhesive properties of the binary interactive gels would suggest an ability to interact with the corneal endothelium that would offer protection during phacoemulsification. Based on the described rheological properties it is suggested that binary gels composed of mass ratios of HEC to NaCMC of either 3.6: 2.4 or 2.4: 3.6 would be acceptable as OVD and would uniquely offer duality of function.

Topics: Adhesiveness; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium; Cellulose; Compressive Strength; Cornea; Corneal Injuries; Elasticity; Endothelium; Gels; Hardness; Humans; Intraoperative Complications; Lens Implantation, Intraocular; Phacoemulsification; Polymers; Rheology; Viscosity