[Tissue interaction with bioglass ceramic implanted in the rabbit cornea].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biocompatibility and 'healing' of Bioglass Ceramic(BGC) in the cornea.

METHODS

BGC dicks (8 mm in diameter, 0.5 mm thick, 20-70 microns pore diameter, 37-62% porosity, 7.8 mm radius of curvature) were implanted in 11 New Zealand albino rabbits after a free-hand intralamellar dissection. The eyes were examined by slit-lamp biomicroscope up to seven months postoperatively. The corneas were removed at seven month (one eye at eight month), then were examined by light microscope.

RESULTS

Five of 11 dicks of BGC were extruded. All implant of BGC with 51-62% porosity were broken and then extruded. A large part of implants led to markedly edematous with severe degrees of corneal neovascularization within one month postoperatively. The corneal lamella before implants became not clear in all eyes after two months. Lipid deposits occurred in four eyes. It is difficulty to observe the 'healing' process of BGC in the cornea because the BGC is too hard to be cut in spite of being soft by 4% hydrochloric acid for four to ten days before cutting.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that BGC with above parameters is not suitable as peripheral keratoprosthetic materials because of its rough, hard, thick and breakable.