The Effect of RGP Lens and Reverse Geometry Lens on Corneal Epithelial Proliferation Rate in Rabbit

Shin, Dong Bin; Lee, Yang Won; Kim, Mee Kum; Kim, Se Yoon; Lee, Jae Lim; Choi, Si Whan

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate proliferation rate of the corneal epithelium with rigid gas permeable lens(RGP) or reverse geometry lens(RGL) wearing. METHODS: Twenty-four rabbits were fitted with either a RGP or RGL on right eye, with left eye serving as a control. They were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after lens fitting. after immunohistochemistry using 5-bromo-2-deotyuridine, BrdU-labeled cells were counted in 10-medium power fields (X200) in each sample using light microscope by 1.0 mm intervals between superior limbus and the center. RESULTS: The number of BrdU-labeled cells was highest in peripheral cornea, and lowest in limbus(p<0.05). The BrdU-labeled cells of limbus increased by 127% but labeled-cells of the center decreased by 24% in RGP group after 1-day fitting. Increase of the labeled cells was observed in the mid-peripheral and central cornea by 12% and 121% each but the decrease of labelled cells was found at the limbus by 16% in RGL fitting group at 1 day. After 14days, Both RGP and RGL group showed decrease of BrdU-labeled cells in limbus by 8% each, and in the center by 32% and 63%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Normal rabbit cornea was characterized by different epithelial proliferation rates according to location. However these pattern was significantly altered with both RGL and RGP fitting group. The change was greater in RGL group than in RGP group. This suggested wearing the RGL might be less physiologic than RGP fitting.