Short-term effects of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field on corneas with alkaline burns in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To investigate the short-term effects of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic fields (ELF-PEMF) on the healing of alkaline-burned corneas in rabbits.

METHODS

Fifty-six alkaline-burned corneas from 56 rabbits were categorized into four groups: ELF-PEMF therapy with 2 mTesla (mT) intensity (ELF 2) for 30 minutes twice daily, ELF-PEMF therapy with 5 mT intensity (ELF 5) for 30 minutes twice daily, medical therapy (MT), and controls. Clinical examination together with digital photography of the corneas was performed on days 0, 2, 7, and 14. After euthanizing the rabbits, affected eyes were evaluated by way of histopathology. Finally the clinical and the histopathologic results of the four groups were compared.

RESULTS

None of the cases developed limbal ischemia, symblepharon formation, Descemetocele, or corneal perforation. Although the area of corneal defect in the ELF groups on day 2 was significantly less than the defects in MT, it was not notably different from those on days 7 and 14. Rate of significant corneal neovascularization on days 7 and 14 was not statistically different between the groups. The keratocyte loss in MT was significantly higher than in the ELF groups. Mild stromal scar formation was observed more frequently in ELF-PEMF groups than the control.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term ELF-PEMF therapy is a safe, noninvasive, and markedly effective method in healing alkaline-burned corneas, and its therapeutic results are comparable with those of MT.