• Objective.
—To determine the impact of collagen shields on ulceration of rabbit corneas after alkali burn.
Methods.
—After a 60-second 2N sodium hydroxide burn to rabbit corneas, 24-hour collagen shields were placed on the corneas daily for 21 days; control corneas did not receive collagen shields. The extent of corneal ulceration was documented daily for 21 days by slit-lamp examination of treated and control eyes. Three separate studies were performed using collagen shields from two commercial sources.
Results.
—In the three studies, corneas in the collagen shield-treated eyes began to ulcerate sooner than those in the control group; the corneas in collagen shield—treated eyes also began to perforate sooner. At 21 days after alkali injury, the mean (±SE) corneal ulceration score in the collagen shield-treated rabbits was 4.1±0.17 (descemetocele formation) compared with 2.7±0.28 (midstromal ulceration) in controls. This difference was significant at P<.005.
Conclusion.
—Collagen shield treatment results in marked acceleration of corneal ulceration and perforation after alkali injury.