The healing effect of the collagen-glycosaminoglycan copolymer on corneal thinning

BACKGROUND: To study the healing processes of partial thickness wounds in the adult rabbit cornea after grafting a porous collagen-glycosaminoglycan copolymer matrix (CG). METHODS: In this study, the regeneration of surgically-induced rabbit corneal defect implanted with CG was investigated. The corneal partial thickness wound was created by 7.5 mm trephine. The wound was implanted with CG. Effects on wound healing was analyzed using clinical data on epithelial migration and corneal thickness, and histological data on collagen and alpha smooth muscle actin distribution. RESULTS: Compared with control group, CG induced a relatively severe inflammatory reaction in grafted cornea until the CG matrix was completely degraded. The new vessel ingrowth and stromal regeneration maintained the corneal thickness. The grafted cornea was significantly thicker (P < 0.001) than the control group. On day 90, the corneal opacity score of the control group was one and the grafted cornea was two. CONCLUSION: CG copolymer matrix can successfully repair the damaged corneal stroma by injury, and regain its thickness. However, CG matrix induced inflammatory healing process thus causing mild corneal haziness and neovascularization.