Evaluation of Lycium Shawii Schult & Roem Eye Drops as a Novel Treatment for Old Corneal Scars in Rabbits

Purpose: to evaluate the efficacy of eye drops extracted from Lycium Shawii Roem&Schult leaves in treating old corneal scars in rabbit corneas. A corneal scar is a condition in which the cornea becomes opaque. The cornea is a transparent, avascular tissue. Corneal opacity/scar is the fifth leading causes of blindness and vision impairment worldwide.

Methods: In a randomized controlled trial. twelve European pigmented rabbits with a twenty four eyes with a mean weight of 1.12 kg (Standared Deviation ± 0.16 kg), aged 5 to 6 months old, were subjected to a partial thickness (120–180 μm) sterile surgical excision on the anterior central part of the cornea with a 7 mm diameter. After the surgical procedures, we waited six weeks for stable old corneal scars to develop, after that rabbits received topical drops as one eye drops three times per day for two months, lycium shawii leaves extract for treatment group (10%; n=12), placebo (normal saline 9% ;n=10) for control group. Therapy effects on corneal scar and ocular safety were evaluated by slit-lamp microscope, Modified Fantes haze scale for grading.

Results: The treatment group showed a significant reduction in corneal scar (P <0.000), mean 2.75 score , standard deviation ± 0.45, and a 68.75% improvement in corneal clarity (P <0.000), mean 0.25 score, standard deviation ± 0.45.

Conclusion: The therapy is effective and safe in treating old corneal scar in rabbit and restores the transparency without ocular toxicity even after 2.5 years of follow up.