Comparison of the Effect of Amniotic Membrane Suspension and Autologous Serum on Alkaline Corneal Epithelial Wound Healing in the Rabbit Model

Abstract

Alkaline corneal epithelial wound closure rates in rabbit eyes were compared after topical applications of amniotic membrane suspension, autologous serum, or preservative-free artificial tears. Thirty rabbits were divided into 3 randomization groups of 10 rabbits each. Central corneal alkali wound was produced in both eyes of the rabbits by applying a 5-mm round filter paper, soaked in 1 N NaOH, for 60 seconds. Group 1 animals received preservative-free artificial tears in 1 eye and amniotic membrane suspension in the other eye; group 2 animals received preservative-free artificial tears in 1 eye and autologous serum in the other eye; and group 3 animals received autologous serum in 1 eye and amniotic membrane suspension in the other eye. The treatment was dosed 4 times a day with the eyedrops, and epithelial wound closure was recorded using slit lamp. The data were analyzed to determine the rate of wound closure. The mean wound radius closure rate was 67.8 +/- 5.2 microm/h for autologous serum-treated eyes, 74.5 +/- 5.4 microm/h for amniotic membrane suspension-treated eyes, and 66.8 +/- 5.0 microm/h for preservative-free artificial tear-treated eyes. This study shows that alkali-injured corneal epithelial wounds heal faster when treated with amniotic membrane suspension than with autologous serum or preservative-free artificial tears.