Natural history of disease in a rabbit model for keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

We have continued our study of the tear film and ocular surface in our full KCS (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) rabbit model up to 52 weeks post-operatively. Tear film osmolarity remains elevated, conjunctival goblet cell density remains decreased, and the conjunctival epithelium remains abnormal. Corneal epithelial glycogen levels decreased progressively, and at 44 weeks post-operatively rabbits developed abnormal rose Bengal staining of the affected cornea that was shown to be associated with morphologic abnormalities at 52 weeks. Rabbits began rubbing the affected eye after the development of corneal staining. Our full KCS rabbit model demonstrates the features of the human disease.