Author/Authors :
Sharifipour, Farideh Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - Department of Ophthalmology - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Malekahmadi, Mohammad Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - Department of Ophthalmology - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Zamani, Mitra Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - Department of Ophthalmology - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Panahi Bazaz, Mahmoodreza Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - Department of Ophthalmology - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Ranjbari, Nastaran Department of Pathology - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz
Abstract :
Purpose: To evaluate the effects of topical sesame oil in the treatment of severe corneal alkali
injury in rabbits
Methods: In a double-blind experiment, 30 healthy white rabbits were randomized into a sesame oil
treatment group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Under general anesthesia, severe corneal
alkali injuries were induced by application of 1 N sodium hydroxide for 40 seconds to the right eye
of each rabbit. The sesame oil group was treated with sesame oil drops 4 times daily for 1 month.
Both groups received chloramphenicol eye drops, 4 times daily. Daily examination with fluorescein
staining and photography were performed, and details of corneal erosion and ulceration were
recorded. The main outcome measure was descemetocele and perforation of the cornea. The
animals were euthanized at the end of the study or earlier if corneal perforation had occurred, and
the corneas were excised and fixed in 10% neutral-buffered formalin for histologic examination.
Results: Mean time to perforation in sesame oil group was longer than control group (29.6 versus
25.5 days, respectively; P=0.01). Four eyes in sesame oil group and 8 eyes in control group
developed descemetocele and perforation (P=0.13). Extent of corneal vascularization was 66.6%
in sesame oil group and 49.3% in control group (P= 0.065).
Conclusion: Topical sesame oil seems to have beneficial effects on alkali-injured corneas. It delays
corneal perforation in rabbits compared to control group.
