The Effect of Actinoquinol with Hyaluronic Acid in Eye Drops on the Optical Properties and Oxidative Damage of the Rabbit Cornea Irradiated with UVB Rays
Abstract
Irradiation of the cornea with UVB rays leads to its oxidative damage, swelling and loss of transparency. We investigated changes in the corneal hydration, light absorption and microscopical disturbances of corneas irradiated with UVB rays as influenced by eye drops containing actinoquinol with hyaluronic acid.
Rabbit corneas were irradiated with two doses of UVB rays (312 nm) for 4 days. During irradiation, the eye drops were applied on the right eye and buffered saline (or hyaluronic acid) on the left eye.
On day 5 the rabbits were sacrificed and the corneas examined spectrophotometrically for light absorption. The corneal thickness (hydration) was measured using a pachymeter.
Corneas of some other rabbits were examined immunohistochemically. UVB rays evoked changes in the corneal optics and induced oxidative damage of the corneas.
After actinoquinol-hyaluronic acid application, these changes were diminished. Hyaluronic acid alone was less effective.