Experimental study on the effect of perfluorodecalin on rabbit corneas.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of perfluorodecalin on the cornea of the rabbit eyes.

METHODS

Perfluorodecalin (0.05 ml/each) was injected into the anterior chambers of eighteen rabbit eyes. Corneal morphology and endothelial cells were monitored clinically by slit-lamp biomicroscope and specular microscope for 26 weeks. Animals were sacrificed in 1st, 2nd, 4th, 10th, 16th, 22nd, and 26th week after injection, respectively, and the corneas were examined under the light microscope.

RESULTS

Perfluorodecalin droplets looking like "fish eggs" were found at about 1/4-1/2 of the corneal height in the inferior anterior chamber. Corneal opacification on the area contacted with perfluorodecalin was observed in five eyes five weeks after injection, and all in the 22nd week. Mutton fat KPs in one eye were seen in the 6th week firstly, and in all eyes in the 7th week. Corneal pannus formation in one eye was present in the 4th week, two eyes in the 5th week and three eyes in the 6th week. Retrocorneal fibrous membrane in one eye was detected at the 6th week and 3 eyes at the 7th week respectively. After injection of perfluorodecalin, endothelial cell density was significantly decreased (2,789 +/- 192 vs. 2,341 +/- 658, P < 0.01) and corneal thickness was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Perfluorodecalin injected into anterior chamber can lead to corneal damage and inflammatory reaction.