Scleral Cross-Linking Using Glyceraldehyde for the Prevention of Axial Elongation in the Rabbit: Blocked Axial Elongation and Altered Scleral Microstructure

ABSTRACT

Background: This study aims to assess the efficacy of the scleral collagen cross-linking method using glyceraldehyde solution for prevention of lens-induced axial elongation in New Zealand rabbits and investigate the biochemical and microstructural changes that occur.

Methods: The right eyes of New Zealand rabbits aged seven weeks were randomly divided into three groups: the cross-linking group (n = 6), non-crosslinking group (n = 5), and untreated control group (n = 5). Eyes in cross-linking and non-crosslinking groups were treated with a −8.00 Diopter spherical lens over the course of two weeks. The cross-linking effects were achieved by a sub-Tenon’s injection of 0.15 ml 0.5 M glyceraldehyde to eyes in the CL group. Ocular parameters were measured on the 1st, 7^th, and 14th days. Biomechanical testing, light and electronic microscopy were used.

Results: Following the cross-linking treatment, eyes in the cross-linking group had a shorter axial length compared to those in the non-crosslinking group (p = 0.006). Collagen fibrils larger than 240 nm were observed in the scleral stroma of cross-linking group, which were absent in the scleral stroma of the non-crosslinking and untreated control group. The mean ultimate stress and Young’s modulus was significantly greater in the cross-linking group compared to those in the non-crosslinking and untreated control group (p < 0.05). No histological damage observed in the retina or choroid.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that lens-induced axial elongation in rabbits can be effectively blocked by cross-linking using glyceraldehyde, with anatomical and mechanical modification and no deleterious effects.

KEYWORDS:

• Sclera
• cross-linking reagents
• glyceraldehyde
• therapeutics
• microscopy

Acknowledgments

This research project was supported by The Shanghai Science and Technology Committee (134119a5100). We would like to acknowledge Prof. Ji He (New England College of Optometry, USA) for his help in editing and proofreading the final paper.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research project was supported by the Shanghai Science and Technology Committee under Grant 134119a5100; Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality [134119a5100];