[Clinical and morphometric evaluations of the angiogenic capacity of chitosan membrane in rabbit corneas].

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal vascularization (CV) induced by interlamellar graft chitosan membrane (CM) in rabbit cornea.

METHODS

An interlamellar graft with a 0.25 x 0.25 cm CM fragment was performed in the left eye (treated eye). In the right eye, an estromal tunnel was done (control eye). The clinical evaluation was done at 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days postoperatively. CV analysis was after 30 days by the Image Analyzer System LEICA QWIN-550.

RESULTS

After 7 days, CV at 1.5+/-0.92 mm from the limbus in direction of the cornea axial area was observed. After 15 days CV increased (4.75+/-3.19 mm), remaining until day 30 (4.25+/-4.06 mm). The control eyes did not present any changes. There was a statistical differences of the vascularizated corneal areas between control and treated eyes from the 15th to the 30th postoperative day.

CONCLUSION

The chitosan membrane induced corneal angiogenesis when applied to rabbit cornea through an interlamellar graft, which was maintained at low levels until 30 days postoperatively. Although further studies are necessary, the results found here demonstrated the usefulness of chitosan membrane in keratoplasties.