Investigation of Protective Effects of Sodium Hyaluronate Eyedrop Against Corneal Epithelial Disorders Using an Electrophysiological Method

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of sodium hyaluronate eyedrop against corneal epithelial disorders caused by antiglaucomatous eyedrops using an electrophysiological method. Methods: Three kinds of antiglaucomatous eyedrops, including benzalkonium chloride (BAC) as an ophthalmic preservative, a BAC-free antiglaucomatous eyedrop, and a sodium hyaluronate eyedrop, were used in this study. Eyedrops were applied to excised rabbit corneas, and the electrophysiological property of the cornea was monitored using an Ussing chamber with a turnover system that mimics human tear turnover. With this system, changes in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) in the corneal surface were recorded. Results: The corneal TER after applying antiglaucomatous eyedrops tended to decrease concomitantly with increasing the concentration of the BAC included as a preservative. On the other hand, there was no significant change in the corneal TER for the initial 60 min after ...