Methods of Assessment of the Corneas of the Eyes Laboratory Rabbits Exposed to Solar Ultraviolet‐B Radiation

Abstract

The goal of this review was to identify and discuss the specialized methods that have been used to assess the corneas of the eyes of living rabbits exposed to the damaging effects of ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B). From publications reviewed between 1916 and 2018, both albino and pigmented rabbits were used, usually being young adults weighing between 2 and 2.5 kg, and with many recent studies carried out under sedation. Older assessments were generally based on the use of in vivo slitlamp examinations, sometimes with the use of fluorescein or rose bengal to identify damaged cells, supported by light microscopy (histology) of excised corneas. In later years (after 1960), these structural studies have included in vivo and ex vivo specular microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy as well as impression cytology. Early studies included measurements of the thickness of excised corneal specimens but in vivo pachymetry methods were widely used from the 1980s. Other assessments have included measurement of light transmission spectra of excised corneas, measures of metabolites in isolated corneas or staining corneal specimens for enzyme activities. While a wide range of specialized methods have been used, most of them have provided only descriptions of the effects of UV‐B.

A Bioengineering‐Regenerative Medicine Approach for Ocular Surface Reconstruction Using a Functionalized Native Cornea‐Derived Bio‐Scaffold

“…Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) identified extensive apical projections consistent with microvilli and the occasional desquamating superficial cell (Figure 4b-ii), equivalent to what transpires on a native mammalian cornea. [60] Laminating epithelia expressed tight, adherens, and gap junction proteins including N-and P-cadherin, occludin, and connexin-43 (Figure 4c), similar to the profile displayed in cells cultivated on human amniotic membrane [61] and comparable to those which populate a native cornea, [62,63] sug-gesting that barrier function was readily established in this 3D tissue culture system.…”

Digital light processing-bioprinted poly-NAGA-GelMA-based hydrogel lenticule for precise refractive errors correction

“…To further investigate the effects of PNG lenticules on host cornea, ultrastructural morphology of corneal tissues was examined by TEM and SEM scanning (figures 7(c)-(l)). The representative TEM images revealed no significant deviation in PNG implanted corneas compared to naive corneas at 28 d post-implantation [82]. Close to that of natural rabbit cornea, the ultrastructure of PNG lenticules displayed irregular pore sizes and a three-dimensional network (figure 7(c)), indicating its potential in recruiting cells and cytokines for further regeneration [83].…”

Cytoprotective Effects of Water Soluble Dihydropyrimidinthione Derivative Against UV-B Induced Human Corneal Epithelial Cell Photodamage

“…However, if the dose of UV-B exposure is substantial, inner corneal endothelial cells will be damaged and chronic UV-B exposure can also lead to climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK) and endothelial dysfunction. For humans, these damages would be expected to be irreversible (Doughty, 2019).…”