Photokeratitis induced by Argon laser in ascorbate-deficient guinea pigs: corneal ultrastructural changes

SUAREZ MF; SERRA HM; MONTI R; ESPOSITO E; CORREA L; GONZALEZ-CASTELLANOS E; URRETS ZAVALIA JA

Orlando, FL

Congreso; ARVO Annual Meeting; 2014

Purpose: Unfavorable environmental conditions Methods: Ten healthy female guinea pigs aged 5 to 8 months old were used and randomly divided in 2 groups of 5 animals each, according to the level of AA in their diet: a high level AA diet group Results: Corneal thickness was reduced in laser treated eyes during the first week and opacities appeared in the treated areas by day 15. Ultrastructural corneal epithelium and stroma modifications studied with TEM were present by day 8 in both groups of animals, being the changes much less pronounced in the HAA group. Conclusions: An animal model of corneal thermal erosion using Argon laser was developed. The in vivo studies showed that the injured corneas completely recovered by day 7 without visible abnormalities. Ultrastructural changes were noticeable in animals under LAA diet.