Comparison of CKC‐ and BAK‐cationic emulsions in a rat model of corneal wound healing

Abstract

PurposeDry eye disease (DED) is a chronic disorder that afflicts 20% of the population. One prominent feature of DED is the ubiquitous presence of inflammatory cells and corneal epithelium damages in DED patients. The aim of the present study is to compare the efficacy of unpreserved cationic emulsions (CEs) with cetalkonium (CKC) or benzalkonium (BAK) chloride as cationic agents on debrided rat corneas healing and inflammatory response.MethodsThe CEs were assessed in a rat model of corneal scraping. The upper part of the corneal epithelium was scraped prior to a 5‐day treatment with the CEs. Paces of corneal recovery and clinical evaluations (in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and Draize tests) were used to evaluate the healing process. Inflammatory cells count in the corneal stroma was assessed by IVCM.ResultsCorneal healing was only marginally affected by the different treatments, and was almost complete at day 5. However, cornea wounds closed more rapidly when treated with CKC‐CEs than with BAK‐CEs. Interestingly, both Draize and IVCM scores indicate that treatments with the CKC‐CEs resulted in a better healing process when compared to BAK‐CEs. The number of inflammatory cells was also at its lowest following treatments with CKC‐CEs.ConclusionsBy restoring a hydrated ocular surface the different treatments promote corneal healing. Inflammatory cells count in the stroma was at its lowest with the preservative‐free CKC‐CEs, suggesting that CKC and BAK have indeed different properties and effects on the ocular surface. Hence, Ikervis®, a CKC‐CE of cyclosporine, represents a promising treatment option for the management of corneal lesions and inflammation in DED patients.